IPS officer Damayanti Sen returns: IPS officer Damayanti Sen has made a comeback to the mainstream; the Chief Minister has entrusted her with significant responsibilities. The State Government has constituted a commission to investigate allegations of institutional corruption, as well as crimes committed against women and children. Specifically, this commission will look into allegations of atrocities committed against women belonging to the SC, ST, and minority communities. This commission will be headed by retired Justice Samapti Chatterjee, while IPS officer Damayanti Sen serves as one of its key members.
IPS officer Damayanti Sen has now been appointed as Member Secretary of a newly formed state commission that will examine complaints related to crimes against women and children, with particular focus on cases involving SC, ST, and minority communities.
The move has attracted public attention not only because of the commission’s responsibilities but also because of Damayanti Sen’s long and often discussed journey within the police administration.
Biography of IPS officer Damayanti Sen: OVERVIEW
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | Damayanti Sen |
| Profession | IPS Officer |
| Service | Indian Police Service (IPS) |
| Cadre | West Bengal Cadre |
| Current Rank | ADG (Additional Director General) level officer |
| Known For | Investigation role in the 2012 Park Street case |
| Former Position | Joint Commissioner (Crime), Kolkata Police |
| Education | Former student of Jadavpur University |
| Major Departments Served | Kolkata Police, CID, State Police, Police Training Division |
| Recent Role | Member Secretary of the newly formed commission on women-related issues |
| Key Reputation | Known for handling sensitive and high-profile investigations |
West Bengal Government Forms New Commission
The state government has announced the formation of a new commission aimed at reviewing allegations involving crimes against women and children. According to the information shared, retired judge Justice Samapti Chatterjee has been appointed Chairperson of the commission.
Addressing a press conference today, the Chief Minister announced that the committee—under the leadership of retired Justice Biswajit Basu—will commence its operations on June 1st. >> “We had pledged to establish a commission to address institutional corruption. Under the leadership of retired Justice Biswajit Basu, we have constituted this committee today. This committee will begin functioning on June 1st. Furthermore, we have established a separate commission specifically to investigate the atrocities committed against women belonging to SC, ST, and minority communities. We have thus fulfilled our commitment. Retired Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Smt. Samapti Chatterjee has been appointed as the Chairperson of this commission.
The committee is expected to begin functioning from 15 June and will examine serious complaints, including issues involving institutional failures and allegations of atrocities against women from vulnerable communities.
Damayanti Sen, currently serving as an IPS officer at the ADG rank, has been appointed as the Member Secretary of the commission.
IPS officer Damayanti Sen: Why Damayanti Sen’s Return Is Drawing Attention
She has assumed the role of Chairperson for the commission tasked with overseeing matters related to crimes against women. Serving as the Member Secretary is our ADG-rank IPS officer, Smt. Damayanti Sen; she has been designated as the Member Secretary for this body.” >> The mere mention of Sen’s name immediately brings to mind the infamous Park Street incident.
In 2012, the state was rocked by a sensational gang-rape case in which Suzette Jordan was gang-raped inside a moving car shortly after leaving a nightclub. The responsibility for investigating this incident was entrusted to Damayanti Sen, who was serving as the Joint Commissioner (Crime) at the time. However, amidst the investigation, the then Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, effectively “added fuel to the fire” by dismissing the entire episode as a “fabricated incident.”
Echoing her sentiments, several elected representatives from the ruling party stoked further controversy by casting aspersions on the character of the victim. Nevertheless, brushing aside all controversies, the investigating officer, Damayanti Sen, firmly declared: “We believe that something indeed happened here.” Following the investigation, three individuals were subsequently arrested in connection with the case. Subsequently, under her leadership, the investigation’s chargesheet was submitted—a document in which the allegation of rape was clearly and explicitly mentioned. Following this, Damayanti Sen incurred the wrath of the State Government; she was summoned to Nabanna.
Damayanti Sen’s name remains familiar to many people in West Bengal because of her role in the investigation of the 2012 Park Street case.
During that period, she was serving as Joint Commissioner (Crime), Kolkata Police. The case became one of the state’s most discussed criminal investigations and triggered significant public debate.
While political controversy surrounded the matter at that time, Damayanti Sen continued with the investigation process, and later charge sheets were filed based on the evidence collected during the probe.
Her role in the investigation often placed her at the center of public discussion.
A Career Marked by Transfers and Responsibilities
Following that period, Damayanti Sen held several responsibilities across different departments.
Reports and discussions around her career frequently pointed to multiple transfers, including assignments in:
- Police Training School, Barrackpore
- Darjeeling range
- CID
- State Police administration
Later, she was shifted from Kolkata Police to state-level responsibilities and served in training-related positions at a senior rank.
Despite administrative changes over the years, she continued serving in various important roles.
Also Read: Biography of Rajkumari Amrit Kaur | The Woman Behind AIIMS Delhi
IPS officer Damayanti Sen: What the New Commission May Do
Following this summons, Joint Commissioner (Headquarters) Javed Shamim and Joint Commissioner (Crime) Damayanti Sen were called in for a meeting. It is widely reported that, during this meeting, both officers faced severe reprimand. According to many observers, the then-Police Minister was displeased with Damayanti Sen’s proactive stance in the matter. Consequently, this highly competent IPS officer was abruptly transferred. Initially, she was posted to the Police Training School in Barrackpore as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG). Subsequently, she was transferred from there to the Darjeeling Range, again holding the rank of DIG. Later, Damayanti Sen was transferred to the CID.
Even there, she continued to serve with the rank of DIG. Many within her close circle remark that these punitive measures failed to dampen her spirit. On the contrary, this brilliant alumna of Jadavpur University embraced the entire episode as a challenge. However, the government maintained that the matter was merely an internal departmental decision concerning IPS officers. Since then, much water has flowed under the bridge. In 2023, she was transferred from the Kolkata Police to the State Police, where she was posted as the Additional Director General (ADG) of Training.
According to statements shared during the announcement, the commission may undertake several responsibilities:
- Review complaints involving crimes against women and children
- Examine allegations concerning SC, ST, and minority women
- Conduct field-level assessments where required
- Visit police stations if necessary
- Recommend further action in specific cases
There are also indications that fresh complaints or FIR-related reviews may be considered if required.
Public Attention Around the Decision
Now, it is this very Damayanti Sen who will be tasked with unraveling the complexities of cases involving atrocities against women across the state. Chief Minister [sic] Suvendu Adhikari has announced that, alongside conducting inspections of police stations, fresh FIRs will be registered wherever deemed necessary. The people of Bengal are saluting this decision taken by the Cabinet.
The appointment has generated reactions because many view Damayanti Sen as an experienced officer who handled sensitive cases during her career.
At the same time, the formation of the commission itself may become an important development in West Bengal’s administrative and law-and-order landscape.
As the committee prepares to begin work from June, attention will likely remain on how it approaches pending complaints and future investigations.
Know More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damayanti_Sen
