Murlidhar Sharma (IPS)
By Amrit Pal Sidhu @Babushahi Network
Chandigarh 19 April 2026
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has removed Murlidhar Sharma from his post as Commissioner of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate on April 17, 2026, just ahead of the state assembly elections in West Bengal.
This decision comes less than two weeks before polling is scheduled on April 29, 2026, in key areas including Salt Lake, New Town, and Rajarhat, all falling under the Bidhannagar Commissionerate jurisdiction.
Following his removal, Tripurari Atharva has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police. Prior to this posting, he was serving as Director of the Directorate of Economic Offences.
Such reshuffles by the ECI are typically aimed at ensuring neutrality and maintaining a level playing field during elections.