IPS Damayanti Sen back in action as Bengal BJP govt sets up commissions to probe corruption, crimes against women

The decision was taken at the state cabinet meeting and forms part of the BJP’s commitments made during the Assembly election campaign.

Damayanti Sen back in action

Damayanti Sen has been appointed Member Secretary of the commission that will investigate crimes and atrocities against women and girl children.

The commission will be chaired by retired Justice Samapti Chatterjee.

Sen, who is currently posted as ADG and IGP of West Bengal Armed Police, is known for leading several high-profile investigations during her service.

In 2012, Damayanti Sen led the investigation into the high-profile Park Street rape case involving Suzette Jordan, an Anglo-Indian woman who was assaulted in a moving car in Kolkata.

Despite initial claims by then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that the incident was fabricated, Sen’s team arrested three accused and established that the mother of two had been raped.

Since the incident, she has never been appointed to any important position.

Another commission to probe corruption

The second panel will examine allegations of institutional corruption in state schemes and public programmes.

Retired Justice Biswajit Basu will chair the commission, while senior IPS officer Jayaraman will serve as Member Secretary.

Announcing the decision after the cabinet meeting, senior BJP leader and minister Suvendu Adhikari said the formation of the two commissions fulfilled a key assurance made by the BJP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the election campaign.

The government said both commissions are expected to begin functioning from June 1 once administrative and logistical arrangements are completed.

Officials expect the panels to submit preliminary recommendations within one to two months.

The corruption commission is expected to examine alleged irregularities in several government schemes and sectors, including Cyclone Amphan relief distribution, Mid-Day Meal projects, housing schemes, Public Health Engineering works and implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in panchayat bodies.

Meanwhile, the women’s atrocities commission will review allegations relating to violence against women in several high-profile incidents, including Sandeshkhali, Hanskhali, Bogtui and cases linked to the 2021 post-poll violence in West Bengal.

The government said the panel would focus on complaints involving women and girl children and assess institutional responses to such incidents.