WB govt to introduce anti-social activities Bill:Bill empowers preventive detention, property seizure, defines habitual offenders as ‘goondas’ under law

The West Bengal government is set to introduce the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, in the Assembly on Monday, proposing sweeping powers to curb organised crime and anti-social activities, including preventive detention, externment, property seizure, and enhanced police powers. Government unveils tougher anti-crime law The proposed legislation comes days after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced in the Assembly that the government would bring a tougher law to crack down on criminals. He had said that offenders would not be able to secure easy bail and warned that properties linked to criminal activities could be confiscated and auctioned. Chief Minister promises strict enforcement According to the proposed Bill, the law aims to maintain public safety, preserve law and order, and prevent organised anti-social activities. It broadly defines anti-social acts as those that create fear among the public, threaten life or property, disrupt public order, illegally occupy property, damage public or private assets, or engage in illegal mining, forest, and wildlife-related activities causing financial losses to the government. The Bill defines a “goonda” as a person who habitually engages in or facilitates anti-social activities, is a member or leader of a criminal gang or syndicate, or has been charge-sheeted under specified provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, NDPS Act, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act or Explosive Substances Act. Bill defines anti-social activities One of the key provisions empowers the state government to order preventive detention based on reports submitted by the Superintendent of Police or senior police officers if it believes an individual poses a threat to public safety. Ordinarily, such detention may be ordered if the individual has been convicted once or charge-sheeted in at least three separate cases during the past seven years. However, the government may relax these conditions in exceptional circumstances if immediate action is deemed necessary. Preventive detention powers expanded significantly The proposed law also authorises District Magistrates and Police Commissioners to issue detention orders in urgent situations, subject to approval by the state government within 15 days. Detention orders may remain in force for up to 12 months following review by an Advisory Board headed by a sitting or former High Court judge. Extermination and property seizure proposed Apart from detention, the Bill empowers authorities to exclude individuals from specific areas for up to one year, impose movement restrictions, require periodic reporting to police and authorise searches and seizure of money, property or documents suspected to be linked to anti-social activities. Violations of such orders would be cognisable and non-bailable offences. Advisory board to review detentions The legislation also grants legal protection to government officials acting in “good faith” under the Act, shielding them from legal proceedings for actions taken while enforcing the law. The government is also expected to table the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at updating an existing law enacted during the Congress era.