Ajay Pal Sharma PIL Seeks Withdrawal As West Bengal Police Observer

A Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court of India seeks urgent removal of IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma from Police Observer duty in West Bengal, alleging intimidation, bias and threat to a free electoral process. The petition argues that Sharma’s continued presence could damage public trust in the 2026 Assembly Elections.

The PIL, moved under Article 32 of the Constitution, says citizens’ fundamental right to free and fair polls is under risk. The petitioner claims that the Election Commission’s choice of observer has compromised neutrality, and therefore wants the Supreme Court to intervene and issue immediate directions.

Ajay Pal Sharma PIL: allegations of intimidation and bias in West Bengal elections

The petition states that since taking charge in South 24 Parganas, Ajay Pal Sharma has allegedly engaged in “acts of intimidation” and “undue influence” against political candidates. It claims such actions have tilted the contest, disturbing the level playing field that election law and constitutional norms require.

According to the plea, Sharma, often labelled the “Singham of UP” for encounter operations, has “vitiates the electoral environment” as an Election Commission observer. The petitioner argues that an observer must act as a neutral constitutional functionary, and any hint of partiality weakens confidence in the electoral machinery.

Referring to provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the writ notes that observers are appointed to independently oversee polling and report violations. The PIL contends that any deviation from this independent role by Ajay Pal Sharma undermines the core purpose of deploying observers and can erode public faith in elections.

The petitioner therefore urges the apex court to take suo motu cognisance of the accusations and direct the Election Commission to withdraw Sharma from observer duty in West Bengal. The plea stresses that prompt judicial action is necessary to protect fairness in the ongoing electoral process in the state.

Ajay Pal Sharma PIL: protests, security questions and 'Singham’ reputation

The PIL also points to recent tensions on the ground. Officials, quoting PTI, said that Trinamool Congress supporters protested against the Prayagraj ACP, raising “Jai Bangla” slogans outside the residence and election office of local TMC candidate Jahangir Khan, reflecting local unease with Sharma’s presence during campaigning.

A report in the Times of India, cited in the narrative, states that Ajay Pal Sharma has been involved in over 500 police encounters, including 136 within 22 months. During a drive to locate Jahangir Khan’s home, some residents and even certain police personnel were reportedly reluctant to share details due to safety concerns.

The same report notes that Sharma later questioned the security cover around Jahangir Khan’s residence. Sharma allegedly said four more personnel were deployed than required under Khan’s 'Y-category’ protection. He is reported to have issued a notice to the local Superintendent of Police, asking for an explanation regarding this excess deployment.

Detail	Information
Name	Ajay Pal Sharma
Service	IPS, Uttar Pradesh cadre
Batch year	2011
Current post	Deputy Inspector General of Police, Prayagraj
Background	Former dental surgeon before joining civil services
States served	Districts in Uttar Pradesh including Rampur, Shamli, Jaunpur, Hathras
Medals	Police commendation medals in 2017 and 2025
Encounter record (reported)	Over 500 encounters, 136 in 22 months

Ajay Pal Sharma PIL: West Bengal Assembly elections and voter turnout

The legal challenge comes as West Bengal moves through a tightly contested Assembly election. Campaigning for the second and final phase has ended, with 142 constituencies scheduled to vote on April 29. The polls are being held under heavy security deployment across districts, given the state’s history of political clashes.

Election officials recorded a voter turnout of 93.2% in the first phase, a record figure. Both the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party claim this unprecedented participation favours their side. High turnout, however, also increases scrutiny on security arrangements and the conduct of central observers such as Ajay Pal Sharma.

Election Event	Detail
Election type	West Bengal Assembly elections
Second phase constituencies	142
Second phase polling date	April 29
First phase turnout	93.2%
Result date	May 4
Other states counting on May 4	Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Sharma, born in Ludhiana but serving the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has previously worked in districts such as Rampur, Shamli, Jaunpur and Hathras. The PIL argues that this policing experience, combined with the encounter record, should have made neutrality a priority when assigning observer roles in a politically sensitive state like West Bengal.

The case before the Supreme Court now links Sharma’s policing style, the protests in West Bengal, and the legal framework for observers under the Representation of the People Act. Its outcome will directly affect Ajay Pal Sharma’s role as Police Observer and could influence how future observer appointments are handled during major elections.