Supreme Court Petition Challenges IPS Officer Ajay Pal Sharma's Appointment as Bengal Poll Observer

A public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court has challenged the Election Commission’s appointment of IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma as a poll observer for the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections. The petition seeks his removal, alleging partisan conduct and arguing that election observers must remain strictly neutral to preserve public confidence in the electoral process.

The plea, reportedly filed by petitioner Aditya Das, cites provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and contends that observers serve as an institutional safeguard to ensure fairness during elections. It argues that any perception of bias can undermine the integrity of the voting process, especially in politically sensitive states such as West Bengal.

Ajay Pal Sharma is a senior Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer who gained prominence for his tough law-and-order image. A 2011-batch officer, he reportedly began his professional career as a dentist before joining the police service. Over the years, he earned the nickname “Singham” and a reputation as an “encounter specialist” because of his aggressive stance against organised crime in Uttar Pradesh.

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At present, Sharma is serving as deputy inspector general in Prayagraj and was assigned election observer duties in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The district is politically significant and often seen as a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress. His posting there has therefore attracted heightened scrutiny amid a closely watched state election.

The controversy intensified after social media posts by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s West Bengal unit reportedly praised Sharma’s appointment and highlighted his law-enforcement reputation. Additional videos circulating online appeared to show the officer issuing stern warnings to potential troublemakers, prompting criticism from the ruling Trinamool Congress, which questioned his neutrality.

The matter now places the spotlight on the role of election observers and the standards expected of officials deployed during polls. The Supreme Court’s response could influence not only Sharma’s assignment but also future debates over how the Election Commission selects officers for politically sensitive election duties across India.

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