IPS Officer Suspended Over Kali Idol Desecration Row in Bengal

An Indian Police Service officer has been suspended in West Bengal over allegations of mishandling a desecrated Goddess Kali idol. The officer, Koteswara Rao, was accused of shoving the idol into a prison van in October 2025 after it was desecrated during Kali Puja in Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas. The incident sparked protests from locals who felt their religious sentiments were hurt.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the suspension on Saturday. He stated that four other police officers across the state, facing accusations of atrocities, high-handedness, and hurting religious sentiments during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration, have also been suspended. Adhikari detailed that Rao, the then superintendent of police of Sundarban police district, resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the protesting mob before shoving the idol into the van.

The incident generated significant controversy last year, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), then in opposition, criticizing the ruling TMC. The list of suspended officers also includes a former assistant sub-inspector from Kaliaganj police station, a former sub-inspector and ex-inspector from Kolkata Police, and a former inspector from Nadia. A first information report (FIR) has been registered against the Kaliaganj ex-ASI for allegedly shooting a person during an investigation. Departmental proceedings are underway against the Nadia ex-inspector for alleged derogatory statements that hurt religious sentiments.

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An idol of Goddess Kali was desecrated during Kali Puja at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas. Locals staged a protest as their religious sentiments were hurt. Koteswara Rao, the then superintendent of police of Sundarban police district resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob. He then shoved the idol in a prison van and took it to the police station. He has been suspended.