Kolkata, 05 August (H.S.) : In an unprecedented move, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly has suspended Marshal-cum-Security Officer Debabrata Mukhopadhyay over allegations of misconduct, irresponsible behaviour and gross negligence in the discharge of his official duties.

According to Assembly sources, the disciplinary action followed complaints related to Mukhopadhyay's conduct during a recent orientation programme for newly elected members of the 18th West Bengal Legislative Assembly, which was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Several legislators are reported to have lodged both verbal and written complaints with the ruling party's Chief Whip, alleging that the Marshal failed to discharge his responsibilities effectively while supervising arrangements for the programme and interacting with MLAs.

The complaints also alleged that Mukhopadhyay behaved discourteously towards legislators and failed to maintain the standards of conduct expected of an officer holding the post of Assembly Marshal.

An official notification issued by the Assembly Secretariat (No. 911 L.A./Estab.) said that a departmental inquiry has been initiated against Mukhopadhyay under Rule 10 of the West Bengal government service rules governing classification, discipline and disciplinary proceedings.

Pending completion of the inquiry, he has been placed under suspension with immediate effect under Rule 7(1)(a). The notification stated that further action will be taken after the inquiry report is submitted and examined. During the suspension period, Mukhopadhyay will receive a subsistence allowance in accordance with the Assembly's service rules.

The suspension order, signed by Assembly Principal Secretary S.N. Das, has been forwarded to the Accountant General, the Finance Department and other concerned authorities for necessary action.

Assembly sources said this is the first time in the history of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly that a Marshal has been suspended, making the development significant within the state's legislative establishment.

The Marshal heads the Assembly's internal security and is responsible for maintaining order inside the legislative premises with the assistance of the security staff. Most recently, the security team led by the Marshal had carried out Speaker Rathindra Bose's direction to remove Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh from the Assembly chamber during a House session.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh