Twenty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers have been transferred, and a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank officer has been suspended, allegedly because they or their families voiced their opinions against the Central Armed Police Force (General Administration) Act, 2026.

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The legislation was passed by the Parliament on April 2 and came into effect on April 9. Retired and serving officials of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) expressed concern about the suspension of the decorated DIG-rank officer.

‘Politically provocative messages’

On June 10, the officer, posted in Tripura, was informed about a pending enquiry against him for allegedly disseminating “audio/video messages and poster/banner for changing of the Government established by law across social media.”

The letter said that an Inspector General-rank officer would probe his WhatsApp account and other encrypted platforms he was active on to enquire about the dissemination of “politically provocative” messages against the government. On June 17, the officer was served a suspension order based on the pending enquiry.

It is learnt that the officer has challenged the suspension, on the grounds that there is no “disciplinary proceeding contemplated or pending” against him as required under the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.

‘Targeted harassment’

Ranbir Singh, the general secretary of the Alliance of All Ex Paramilitary Association said that officers whose families participated in a protest against the CAPF Act at Jantar Mantar in the capital on March 23 and May 6, and at Rajghat on April 9 were being targeted by the CRPF’s top brass.

“We want to draw the attention of Home Minister Amit Shah to this targeted harassment of CRPF officers. They were targeted after a detailed profiling of their families, who participated in the protests against the Bill. The officers were not present at the protest. For the first time in the history of the CRPF, the suspension of a serving DIG without cause has sparked unease and resentment among the paramilitary personnel. Officers are being singled out and posted to the North East as a punitive measure before completing their tenures,” Mr. Singh said.

‘Bound by oath’

When contacted, CRPF Director General G.P Singh told The Hindu that transfers are routine processes based on administrative and operational requirements.

When asked about the suspension order against the CRPF officer, the D-G said, “All serving and uniformed officers of CRPF are bound by rules and statutes and the oath taken. Any word/s written or spoken or action contravening the same would be dealt appropriately in consonance with the law of the land.”

The Act states that Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on deputation will fill 50% of the total posts in the rank of Inspector General in all CAPFs, at least 67% posts in the rank of Additional Director General, and all posts in the rank of Special Director General and Director General. Until now, such postings were done based on executive orders. The 50% cap on DIG posts, to be filled by Group A CAPF officers, was also done away with, paving the way for a higher percentage of IPS deputation.