Patra, a decorated deputy inspector general (DIG) in the CRPF, was suspended for allegedly “disseminating audio/video messages and posters/banners” on social media advocating for a “change in government.”
CRPF issued the reinstatement order that same evening, according to a confidential order released by the CRPF. An internal communication dated June 10 (a week before he was suspended), seen by HT, said that Patra was to be probed under the draconian Official Secrets Act,1923 (OSA), with the enquiry officer directed to check all his internal communication, including internal files and digital logs from the past 12 months, for any potential leak. In fact, according to one communication seen by HT, Patra had intimated the President’s office on the evening of September 15 about his right to resume work the following morning, as the enquiry committee had not shared any evidence, grounds for continued suspension or the identity of the competent authority who ordered his suspension.
Because patra was one of the officers who filed petitions in the Supreme Court, cRPF’s retired additional director general(ADG) HR Singh, a former cadre officer and President of the Alliance of All Ex Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association – the umbrella group protesting the new law—said Patra’s suspension on flimsy grounds was a message to serving cadre officers.
“The families of many serving officers will be holding a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar against this unfair law. The screenshot of the link was a press conference related to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) General Administration Act, 2026, against which some retired officers had said that cadre officers would get justice only if the government in the Centre is changed. Singh said that the new law passed by the government is unfair to the extent that over 3000 decorated cadres officers, many serving gallantry and Shaurya Chakra winners have approached the Supreme Court against it.
the Home Ministry said IPS officers were essential for effective functioning and Centre-State coordination While introducing the new law. the government in the statement of object and reason in the bill, said that the absence of an umbrella law has caused regulatory provisions to evolve in a fragmented manner resulting in several service-related litigations and causing functional and administrative difficulties While framing fixed numbers for both IPS and cadre officers in the CAPFs.
The Centre introduced the CAPF General Administration Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha on March 27, 2026, which overrode the Supreme Court’s judgment on CAPF recruitments and functioning. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on April 2 and the Rajya Sabha on April 1, amid protests from opposition leaders who said it would break the morale of the cadre officers.
