West Bengal anti-social activities bill review

The status of the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, has been the subject of conflicting reports. Initial claims suggested that President Droupadi Murmu had returned the legislation to the state government for reconsideration, citing potential legal overlaps with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

However, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check and the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that the bill has not been returned. Instead, the legislation is undergoing a formal examination process and is being circulated among central ministries for comments.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has dismissed reports of the President returning the bill, labeling them as “fake news” and “baseless propaganda” spread by political opponents. Adhikari clarified that the proposed legislation, which seeks to curb organized crime, extortion, and illegal mining through measures such as property seizure and preventive detention, remains under review by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The state government has confirmed it has received no notification that the bill was sent back for reconsideration.