Police given ‘free hand’ to deal with crimes against women, says CM in Assembly
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that police have been granted full autonomy to handle crimes against women without waiting for higher-level approval. This follows recent public outcry over a rape and murder case and subsequent violence in the state.
Why it matters
The policy shift highlights the intense pressure on state governments to address systemic failures in women's safety and law enforcement.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) stated that the police have been given a free hand to deal with cases of crimes against women, and officers do not need to wait for any instructions from higher authorities to act promptly.
His remarks come only weeks after a key accused in the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur on July 5 was shot dead during a police encounter on July 8 . The incident also faced a backlash from BJP’s political rivals, who have already cornered the ruling party over the rape case and the following violence that erupted in the city after the minor’s body was found, leading to another 48-year-old man being lynched by the angry mob . The Police have so far arrested nearly 50 people in the incident.
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