CRPF suspends DIG for sharing messages opposing CAPF bill
The CRPF has suspended a senior DIG-level officer for allegedly sharing content critical of the Government during the passage of the CAPF bill. Cadre officers have called the bill discriminatory.
This is the first reported case of such action among the approximately 15,000 cadre officers in leadership roles within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), which collectively have about one million personnel.
Officials identified the officer as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) B C Patra, who is currently posted at the Tripura Sector headquarters in Agartala.
Patra, a 1994-batch CRPF cadre officer, rejoined the Central Reserve Police Force in April following a deputation with the National Security Guard (NSG).
Officials stated that Patra was suspended under Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 10 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, and that a preliminary enquiry is ongoing.
Officials expressed concerns about audiovisual and pictorial content on social media that allegedly called for the change of the country’s lawfully elected Government during the passage of the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill 2026.
The bill became an Act after receiving presidential assent in April.
CRPF Director General (DG) GP Singh confirmed the suspension.
“The rules and statutes and the oath taken bind all serving and uniformed officers of the CRPF.
“Any word(s)- written or spoken or action contravening the same would be dealt appropriately in consonance with the law of the land,” the DG said.
Patra was not available for comment.
Officers familiar with the case described the action against the DIG as unjustified and in bad faith.
They stated that Patra is being targeted because he was the lead petitioner among CAPF cadre officers in cases regarding promotions and service parity with the IPS, which the Supreme Court heard.
“The DIG is being unfairly treated and punished by CRPF headquarters because he led the legal battle for the rightful claims of cadre officers, seeking parity with Indian Police Service (IPS) officers who join the CAPFs on deputation,” a senior officer said on condition of anonymity.
He claimed that about two dozen other officers who had actively pursued court cases were recently given hasty posting orders.
An association of former CAPF officers has scheduled a press conference on July 2 to oppose the DIG’s suspension and actions against CAPF personnel whose families protested the CAPF Bill at Rajghat in April.
“DIG Patra is an outstanding officer who has been commended with multiple awards,” said Ranbir Singh, general secretary of the Alliance of All Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association (AAPW).
In their representations to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), serving cadre officers described the Bill’s provisions as “oppressive” and “discriminatory.”
They warned they would continue to stagnate in their current ranks if IPS deputations were not limited as the Supreme Court directed last year. The Centre appealed against this order, but the apex court rejected the appeal.
The Government stated that the bill aims to establish a unified legal framework for service conditions across the CAPFs, replacing the current separate rules for cadre officers and those deputed from the Indian Police Service (IPS).
MHA officers have said that deputing IPS officers to CAPFs is a “valid requirement” because they are an all-India service and play a supervisory role in state police organisations.
