Suspended CRPF DIG at Centre of Row Over CAPF Act Protests
Senior officer placed under suspension pending inquiry into alleged anti-government content shared during CAPF Act debate
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has suspended Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bidhan Chandra Patra pending a disciplinary inquiry into allegations that he disseminated audio and video content on social media calling for a change in the "government established by law."
The suspension, issued on June 17 under Rule 10(1) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, follows the initiation of a preliminary inquiry into the officer's alleged social media activity. Patra, a 1994-batch CRPF cadre officer, was serving at the force's Tripura Sector headquarters after returning from a deputation with the National Security Guard (NSG) in April.
According to the inquiry order dated June 10, an Inspector General-rank officer has been tasked with examining Patra's official digital communications over the past 12 months, including internal communication logs and encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp. The inquiry will also assess whether any provisions of the Official Secrets Act were violated and determine the extent of any potential information leakage.
Officials allege that the officer circulated audio-visual content during the debate over the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Bill, 2026, which reportedly advocated changing the elected government. The legislation received Presidential assent in April and is now in force as the CAPF General Administration Act, 2026.
The Act establishes a unified legal framework governing the service conditions of personnel across the five Central Armed Police Forces while formally codifying the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to senior leadership positions.
The legislation has been opposed by several associations representing CAPF cadre officers, who argue that continued IPS deputation limits career progression and leadership opportunities for officers promoted from within the forces. The issue has been the subject of prolonged legal proceedings between cadre officers and the Central Government.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of All Ex Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association (AAPWA) has alleged that Patra's suspension is linked to his family's participation in protests against the CAPF legislation and his alleged promotion of videos related to those demonstrations on social media.
"The officer has won awards for operations in Jammu and Kashmir and other difficult operational areas. Many officers are being targeted because their family members participated in peaceful protests against the Act, even though the officers themselves were not present," said Ranbir Singh, General Secretary of AAPWA.
The association has announced a press conference on July 2, where it intends to present what it describes as evidence of discriminatory treatment against several serving officers.
AAPWA President and former CRPF Additional Director General H.R. Singh also criticised the suspension, alleging that some officers have been transferred from the National Capital Region because their family members participated in the protests.
"Peaceful protest is a democratic right. Suspending a highly decorated and disciplined officer in this manner is demoralising for the force," he said.
Responding to the controversy, CRPF Director General G.P. Singh defended the action, stating that all serving personnel are bound by the service rules and the oath they undertake upon joining the force.
"All serving and uniformed officers of CRPF are bound by the rules and statutes and the oath taken. Any word, written or spoken, or action contravening the same would be dealt with appropriately in consonance with the law of the land," the Director General said.
Patra could not be reached for comment.
The disciplinary inquiry remains ongoing, and the findings will determine any further administrative or legal action against the officer.
