Wed Mar 19 23:50:00 UTC 2025: **West Bengal Appoints New Information Commissioners Amidst Opposition Boycott**
KOLKATA, March 20, 2025 – The West Bengal government appointed two new Information Commissioners on Wednesday, sparking controversy due to the absence of the Leader of the Opposition and the selection of a nominee with close ties to the Chief Minister.
Sanchita Kumar, wife of West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, and Mriganko Mahato, a former Trinamool Congress MP, were appointed to the West Bengal Information Commission. The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari boycotted the meeting.
Mr. Adhikari cited the unsolved rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, claiming that his conscience prevented him from participating as long as those responsible, including government officials and ruling party politicians, remain unjailed. This is not the first time he has boycotted such meetings, alleging they are a “mere eyewash” designed to favor the ruling party’s choices.
RTI activist Biswanath Goswami criticized Mr. Adhikari’s boycott, arguing that participation and a dissenting note would have provided a more effective means of challenging the appointments. Mr. Goswami also raised concerns about the commission’s functioning and its potential to offer post-retirement positions to bureaucrats.
Ms. Kumar’s appointment has drawn particular scrutiny given her husband’s close relationship with Chief Minister Banerjee. Mr. Kumar’s reinstatement as DGP in July 2024, following his removal by the Election Commission, and Chief Minister Banerjee’s 2019 dharna in his defense during a CBI investigation, further fuel concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Nine applications were received for the position, including those from journalists, legal professionals and a retired IPS officer. The current commission is headed by a former DGP and a retired IAS officer.
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