Bengal’s new Public Safety Act essential to rein in Communist harmads, TMC goondas, says Suvendu

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday defended the implementation of the new anti-organised crime law saying that the legislation was “the need of the hour” to rein in “Communist harmads” and “Trinamool goondas” who had ruled the state for decades.

“For 34 years, Bengal was ruled by Communist harmads and for the next 15 years by Trinamool goondas. This law was essential to rein them in. We passed it in the Assembly and the Governor has given his assent,” Adhikari said after accompanying the BJP’s three Rajya Sabha candidates to file their nomination papers.

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The state’s new anti-organised crime legislation formally came into force on Monday, empowering police and district authorities with sweeping powers, including preventive detention, externment of habitual offenders and confiscation of properties allegedly acquired through organised criminal activities.

Adhikari had announced its implementation during his visit to Baruipur on Friday. According to the state headquarters in Nabanna, the law has been brought into force to further strengthen the state’s law and order machinery and create a deterrent against organised crime and anti-social activities.

The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026, known popularly as the Anti-Goonda Act significantly expands the powers of the police and civil administration to curb organised criminal networks and habitual offenders.

One of the key provisions of the Act is preventive detention. Under the new law, authorities can detain an individual without trial for up to 12 months if they believe the person poses a threat to public safety or is planning to commit a major anti-social or organised criminal offence.

The Act also introduces “externment orders”, allowing District Magistrates, Police Commissioners and officers of the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or above to direct habitual offenders to leave a specified area or even an entire district for up to one year if their presence is considered likely to disturb public order.

The legislation further makes all offences under its ambit non-bailable. Police will be empowered to arrest accused persons without a warrant, making it more difficult for those charged under the Act to secure bail.

Moreover, the government can also confiscate assets and properties allegedly acquired through organised criminal activities, including syndicate operations and other unlawful enterprises. The law also broadens the definition of “anti-social activities” and “goonda”.

Activities covered under the Act include syndicate operations, extortion, forcible occupation of land and houses, illegal sand mining from rivers, unlawful mining activities, intimidation of the public that disrupts business or normal life, major cyber-crimes and large-scale financial fraud.