CRPF Reinstates DIG Bidhan Chandra Patra; Departmental Inquiry Over Alleged Social Media Posts Continues

New Delhi, September 16, 2026: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has lifted the suspension of Deputy Inspector General Bidhan Chandra Patra with immediate effect, allowing him to return to duty from September 16 even as the departmental inquiry against him continues.

The revocation comes nearly three months after Patra was placed under suspension and follows approval from the President under the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965. According to a September 15 order issued by the Directorate General, CRPF, the Ministry of Home Affairs conveyed the decision to the force on August 27 after examining the case on its merits. The headquarters, however, issued the formal order almost three weeks later.

The order states that the period of suspension, which took effect on June 18, 2026, will be regularised in accordance with the applicable rules once the pending inquiry is completed. It also directs that the order be served on Patra and that a dated, attested acknowledgement be returned to the Directorate.

Patra, a 1994-batch CRPF cadre officer with IRLA 40618, was serving at the Tripura Sector headquarters in Agartala when action was taken against him. He had rejoined the CRPF in April 2026 after completing a deputation with the National Security Guard. Officials have described him as a highly decorated officer, with awards for operations in Jammu and Kashmir and other difficult terrains.

He was first placed under suspension on June 17, 2026, under Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 10 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, pending a preliminary inquiry. The action was linked to allegations that he had shared audio-visual and pictorial content on social media platforms that, according to officials, called for “changing” the country’s lawfully elected government during the passage of the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026. The Bill received Presidential assent in April and became law.

As part of the inquiry, an Inspector General-rank officer was asked to examine internal communications and digital logs that Patra could access over the previous 12 months, including encrypted channels such as WhatsApp. The probe was also meant to determine whether there had been any violation of the Official Secrets Act and the extent of any possible information leakage.

The suspension had triggered criticism from associations of retired Central Armed Police Forces officers. They argued that the move was connected to protests by family members over the CAPF legislation and to Patra’s sharing of related videos, and said the punishment was hasty and unjustified. Some officers also described him as a prominent petitioner in litigation by CAPF cadre officers seeking promotion and service parity with Indian Police Service officers.

The wider dispute over IPS deputation to senior CAPF posts, cadre review and career progression remains before the courts, including a contempt petition in the Supreme Court. The lifting of Patra’s suspension does not end the disciplinary proceedings, which officials familiar with the matter said will continue. The CRPF has not issued any detailed public statement beyond the order.