EC suspends three CAPF personnel for playing carrom in TMC's Siliguri office

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended three personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) after a purported video surfaced on social media showing them playing carrom inside a Trinamool Congress (TMC) office in Siliguri, officials said on Sunday.

According to officials, the action was taken after the video went viral on social media , raising concerns over the neutrality expected from central forces deployed during the election period. The poll body has also ordered a departmental inquiry to investigate the incident and determine the circumstances in which the personnel entered the party office.

The viral clip, which began circulating on Saturday, allegedly shows one CAPF personnel playing carrom with three local youths , while another is seen standing nearby and a third sitting on a chair inside the office premises. However, PTI reported that the authenticity of the video could not be independently verified .

Central armed police forces are deployed by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections and maintain law and order during the polling process. Their presence inside the office of any political party is considered inappropriate and raises questions about neutrality.

The incident triggered strong political reactions. BJP candidate from the Siliguri Assembly constituency, Jagannath Chatterjee , criticised the episode and described it as “extremely reprehensible and disappointing.” He questioned how the personnel were deployed and demanded that strict action be taken if local police or administrative officials were involved .

Congress district president Sanjay Adhikari also voiced concern, saying that while playing carrom itself is not wrong, doing so inside the office of a political party is inappropriate and raises questions about conduct during election duty.

Responding to the controversy, TMC district co-vice president Malay Mukherjee downplayed the issue, saying there was nothing wrong with casual interaction. He said those working at the office may have simply been talking with the personnel, which could have led to the game.

Election authorities said the suspended personnel will face disciplinary proceedings as part of the ongoing inquiry.