West Bengal appoints DGP's wife as information commissioner

The West Bengal government has appointed two new information commissioners. One of the appointees is Sanchita Kumar, a retired IRS officer and wife of the state’s Director General of Police, Rajeev Kumar. The other is Mriganko Mahato, a former MP from the Trinamool Congress. The decision was made during a meeting led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, did not attend this meeting. He has previously expressed concerns over serious crimes in the state, including a recent case involving the rape and murder of a medical student. Adhikari stated that he cannot meet with the Chief Minister while those responsible for such crimes remain unpunished. Critics have pointed out that Adhikari's absence from multiple meetings on appointments allows the government to select its preferred candidates without opposition. Activist Biswanath Goswami argued that Adhikari should participate and formally register his dissent to challenge the government's choices in court. The appointment of Sanchita Kumar has raised eyebrows due to her close ties with the Chief Minister. Rajeev Kumar, her husband, was reinstated as DGP after being removed during the 2024 elections. There are ongoing concerns about the appointments of former bureaucrats to these positions, as they may serve as rewards rather than active roles in promoting accountability.