3 days ago
West Bengal Anti-Goonda Bill Returned, Sparking Opposition Criticism
West Bengal proposed a law called the Anti-Goonda Bill.
The President sent it back for the state to reconsider.
The central government said part of the Bill may repeat rules already covered by a national drug law.
It warned that having two similar detention systems could create a constitutional problem.
Opposition leaders said the Bill gives authorities too much power to detain people without a trial.
They asked the government to abandon it.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government still plans to put the law into effect.
Government sources said they may correct the Bill and introduce it again in the Assembly.
The President returned West Bengal’s Anti-Goonda Bill for reconsideration after the Centre raised concerns about overlap with narcotics legislation.
The Centre said provisions covering NDPS offences could create a parallel preventive-detention mechanism and conflict with Article 254 of the Constitution.
Opposition leaders demanded that the Bill be withdrawn, calling it undemocratic and a threat to human rights.
Abhishek Banerjee mocked the government, while Mohammed Salim accused the BJP of using the proposed law amid alleged political wrongdoing.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended the legislation, and government sources said corrections may be made before presenting a fresh Bill.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, President, Central government, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and opposition leaders including Abhishek Banerjee, Kunal Ghosh, and Mohammed Salim.
- What
- West Bengal’s Anti-Goonda Bill was returned for reconsideration because of concerns that it overlaps with central narcotics legislation.
- Where
- West Bengal, India.
- When
- In September 2026, with the return occurring a day before the reported opposition reactions.
- Why
- The Centre said provisions concerning offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act could create a parallel preventive-detention framework and raise an issue under Article 254 of the Constitution.
Government Position
Opposition Position
Whether the Bill should proceed
Government Position
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the administration remains committed to implementing the Anti-Goonda law.
Opposition Position
Opposition leaders demanded that the proposed legislation be scrapped, describing it as anti-democratic and harmful to human rights.
Extent of detention powers
Government Position
The government presented the law as a measure to deter goondas and said it would act within the law.
Opposition Position
Kunal Ghosh compared the Bill with the Rowlatt Act and objected to preventive detention without trial based on suspicion.
Overlap with central law
Government Position
Government sources said necessary corrections could be made before a fresh Bill is introduced in the Assembly.
Opposition Position
The Centre and opposition parties argued that provisions concerning NDPS offences overlap with an existing central preventive-detention framework.
Key facts
- Bill
- West Bengal’s proposed Anti-Goonda Bill
- Presidential action
- The President returned the Bill for reconsideration.
- Central concern
- The Bill may overlap with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
- Constitutional issue
- The Centre cited a possible conflict under Article 254 of the Constitution of India.
- Opposition demand
- Opposition leaders called for the Bill to be scrapped.
- Government position
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government would implement the law.
- Next step
- Government sources said corrections may be made and a fresh Bill tabled in the Assembly.
Quotes
Abhishek Banerjee
Trinamool Congress member of Parliament who criticized the state government on X.
“When the Bill was brought up in the legislative Assembly, we said that this act reminded us of the Rowlatt Act of the British period. We vehemently opposed this Act. The ruler can’t detain a person without trial. This Bill is anti-democracy and goes against human rights.”
indianexpress.com
“We don’t do anything beyond law. The main thing is that goondas are now afraid of the administration. We will implement the anti-goonda law.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
President Returns Bengal Anti-Goonda Bill Over Drug-Law Overlap
West Bengal Anti-Goonda Bill Remains With Home Ministry
President Returns Bengal Bill Over Preventive Detention Concerns
Allahabad HC Quashes Gonda Externment, Criticizes Goonda Act Use
West Bengal Plans Anti-Extortion Law, Including Police Accountability
Allahabad High Court Warns UP Over Goondas Act Misuse
Kunal Ghosh Seeks Court Protection After Two Alleged Attacks
Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack, Blames BJP
Rajya Sabha Bypoll Sets October 16 Deadline for BJP
West Bengal Shuts 933 Zero-Enrolment Schools, Audits Assets
