West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said that the state police have been given complete freedom to take firm and immediate action against crimes targeting women, stressing that officers should not wait for political or administrative instructions before acting within the framework of the law.

Speaking during a discussion on the budgetary demands of the Home and Hill Affairs Department in the West Bengal Assembly, Adhikari said the safety and security of women and children remained among the key priorities of his government. He assured the House that law enforcement agencies would be supported in taking necessary action against those accused of offences against women.

The Chief Minister said police personnel should act promptly whenever a woman or girl faces a threat, and that they were not required to seek additional permission before taking legally permitted steps. He also indicated that the government would stand behind officers who acted according to the law while dealing with such cases.

Adhikari’s remarks came amid heightened public and political attention over crimes against women in the state. His statement also followed the rape and murder of a girl in Baruipur and a subsequent police encounter in which one of the accused was killed. The incident has generated considerable political debate, with the government’s handling of the case facing scrutiny from opposition parties and the police action becoming a subject of controversy.

Addressing women across the state, the Chief Minister said the government would support them in protecting their dignity and personal safety. He maintained that his administration would not treat incidents of violence against women lightly and would use all available legal provisions to pursue justice.

The Chief Minister’s comments also carried a strong political dimension. During his Assembly address, he criticised the previous Trinamool Congress-led government over its handling of several cases involving crimes against women. He specifically referred to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a case that had triggered widespread protests and national outrage.

Adhikari alleged that important files connected with the case had remained pending for an extended period under the previous administration. He questioned the pace at which some cases involving violence against women had been dealt with and argued that investigations and legal proceedings should be pursued without unnecessary delays.

Drawing a comparison with the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case, commonly known as the Nirbhaya case, the Chief Minister pointed to the legal proceedings that followed the crime and the eventual execution of the convicts. He questioned why a similar determination had not been demonstrated in some cases of crimes against women in West Bengal during the earlier administration.

The Chief Minister’s remarks are likely to intensify the political debate over women’s safety and law and order in West Bengal. Crimes against women have remained a major public concern, with political parties frequently using such cases to challenge the government’s record on policing, investigation and justice delivery.

By telling the police to act without waiting for instructions, the Chief Minister sought to underline his government’s position that officers must respond swiftly to complaints and incidents involving women. At the same time, his emphasis on acting within the law highlighted the importance of following established legal procedures while investigating and prosecuting criminal offences.

The government’s approach is expected to be closely watched as questions surrounding women’s safety continue to occupy public and political discourse in the state. The effectiveness of the policy will ultimately depend on how quickly complaints are registered, investigations are conducted, evidence is collected and cases move through the judicial process.

For victims and their families, the central issue remains timely access to justice and effective protection from further harm. The Chief Minister’s assurance that the police have the backing of the government is therefore significant, but its impact will be measured by the implementation of that directive at the ground level.

The Assembly discussion also highlighted how crimes against women have become an increasingly important issue in the political contest over governance in West Bengal. While the government has promised strict action against offenders, the opposition is expected to continue raising questions about individual cases and the broader law-and-order situation.

As the state administration seeks to strengthen its response to crimes against women, the emphasis is now on ensuring that police action is prompt, investigations are impartial and victims receive adequate support. The Chief Minister’s message to the police was clear: officers should use the powers available to them under the law and take necessary action without unnecessary delays.