New Delhi: The CRPF has revoked the suspension of DIG Bidhan Chandra Patra, who was suspended in June and faced an inquiry for allegedly sharing audio and video messages on social media calling for “changing the government established by law” while protesting the Centre’s move to enact the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026.
The bill, which was passed by Parliament in April and subsequently received presidential assent, created a unified legal framework for the five CAPFs and codified the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers at senior levels. CAPF cadre officers have long opposed the deputation of IPS officers to senior positions in the forces and have sought cadre review for non-IPS officers, who they say have been overlooked for leadership roles. Retired officers have alleged that the government brought the legislation to circumvent the Supreme Court’s directions. The petitioners include gallantry award winners and women officers.
Patra’s suspension had drawn criticism from retired Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) officers, who alleged that the action against him was linked to his family’s participation in protests against the CAPF General Administration Bill, 2026, and his promotion of videos of such protests on social media. The Supreme Court, in its judgment in 2025, ordered a cadre review and directed the Centre to progressively reduce the deputation of IPS officers in the CAPFs, giving cadre officers greater opportunities to hold leadership positions. Meanwhile, more than 3,000 CAPF Group A cadre officers have moved the Supreme Court challenging the 2026 Act.
