Retired CAPF Officials Demand Reversal of Transfers and Suspension Over Protest Against New Act
Retired officials of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have demanded the immediate revocation of transfers and suspension of serving officers who were allegedly targeted after their families participated in protests against the new Central Armed Police Force (General Administration) Act, 2026. The retired officials claim that the actions are an act of vendetta and violate the officers' constitutional right to protest.
The controversy began when 20 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers were transferred and a Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) rank officer, B.C. Patra, was suspended. The retired officials allege that these officers were identified through videos and photos taken on April 9 at Rajghat in Delhi, where families of CAPF officers had gathered to protest the new legislation.
H.R. Singh, president of the Alliance of All Ex-Para-Military Forces Welfare Associations, stated, 'The officers who were transferred were identified with the help of videos and photos taken on April 9... Subsequently, the husbands were targeted. It was their legal right to protest.' Singh, a former Additional Director-General of the CRPF, emphasised that the officers' families were exercising their fundamental right to peaceful assembly.
The new CAPF Act, which was passed by Parliament on April 2 and came into effect on April 9, has been criticised for reserving top posts for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. According to the Act, 50% of Inspector-General posts, 67% of Additional Director-General posts, and all posts of Special Director-General and Director-General in CAPFs will be filled by IPS officers on deputation. This replaces the previous system where such appointments were made through executive orders.
Anand Nimbadia, a retired Inspector-General from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), explained the impact on promotions: 'The CAPF Act reserves the top posts only for IPS officers. If DIGs are not promoted to I-G rank in time, it has a trickle-down effect, affecting promotions of Assistant Commandants, Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, head constables, and constables.'
Regarding DIG Patra's suspension, the CRPF issued a letter on June 10 stating that a pending enquiry had been initiated against him for allegedly disseminating 'audio/video messages and poster/banner for changing of the Government established by law across social media.' The suspension order followed on June 17. It is learnt that Patra has challenged the suspension on grounds that no disciplinary proceeding is pending against him as required under the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.
Ranbir Singh, general secretary of the association, alleged that retired officials were being followed and their homes filmed. 'Unidentified people were seen filming my homes; our president got calls from international numbers. We are here to fight for the welfare of the jawans,' he said.
When contacted, CRPF Director-General G.P. Singh stated that transfers are routine processes based on administrative and operational requirements. On the suspension, he said, 'All serving and uniformed officers of the CRPF are bound by rules and statutes and the oath taken. Any words, written or spoken, or action contravening the same would be dealt with appropriately in consonance with the law of the land.'
