West Bengal To Introduce Preventive Detention Bill In Assembly On Monday Against Criminals

The West Bengal government is set to introduce the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026 in the state Assembly on Monday, proposing sweeping powers to prevent organised crime and maintain public order through preventive detention. The legislation, which the BJP government led by Suvendu Adhikari says is necessary to tackle rising anti-social activities, seeks to empower authorities to detain individuals deemed likely to engage in criminal acts, even before an offence is committed.

According to the proposed legislation, the government believes the existing legal framework is insufficient to deal with organised criminal networks and habitual offenders. The Bill has been modelled on preventive detention laws such as the National Security Act, focusing on preventing future threats rather than solely punishing crimes that have already occurred. It aims to address activities that directly or indirectly create public fear, endanger lives, disturb public order or undermine public safety across the state.

The proposed law defines the scope of anti-social activities broadly, covering offences such as organised crime, illegal mining, unauthorised quarrying, illegal sand extraction and wildlife-related crimes. It also expands the definition of a "goonda," stating that a person may be classified as one if they habitually engage in anti-social activities, lead or finance criminal syndicates, or promote and facilitate such activities. Individuals identified as history-sheeters may also fall within the ambit of the proposed legislation.

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One of the key provisions of the Bill empowers the state government to order preventive detention if it believes such action is necessary to stop a person from engaging in future anti-social activities. The legislation provides that detention may be initiated based on a report submitted by a police officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) or above, or at the discretion of the government in specified circumstances. Authorities argue that the provision is intended to disrupt organised criminal networks before they can carry out offences that threaten public safety.

The Bill also proposes that individuals who have previously been chargesheeted under Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with organised crime, may be considered for preventive detention under the new law. The government contends that repeat offenders and those associated with organised criminal syndicates require stronger legal measures to curb recurring unlawful activities. Officials have maintained that the legislation is aimed at enhancing public security while providing law enforcement agencies with more effective tools to tackle organised crime.

The introduction of the Bill is expected to trigger significant debate in the Assembly, with its preventive detention provisions likely to come under scrutiny from opposition parties and civil rights groups. While the government argues that the proposed law is essential to strengthen law and order and curb organised crime, critics are expected to raise concerns over the breadth of its provisions and the potential implications for civil liberties. The Assembly's discussion on the legislation is likely to focus on balancing public safety with constitutional safeguards against arbitrary detention.

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