Bengal's New 'Goonda Bill': One-Year Detention, Property Seizure Now Law

The West Bengal Assembly has passed the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, with 176 votes for and 41 against. The law allows preventive detention of alleged "goondas" for up to one year, externment orders, and seizure of property linked to anti-social activities. CM Suvendu Adhikari said existing laws were inadequate against organised crime. Detainees won't ordinarily get legal representation before the Advisory Board. Offences are cognisable and non-bailable. A companion bill also mandates compensation for property damaged during riots.

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Bengal's New 'Goonda Bill': One-Year Detention, Property Seizure Now Law

Bill Cleared With Thumping Majority

The West Bengal Assembly has passed the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, sweeping legislation that arms the State with new powers to tackle organised crime. The Bill cleared the House with 176 votes in favour and 41 against, and permits preventive detention of alleged "goondas" for up to one year, externment orders, and seizure of property linked to anti-social activities.

CM Defends The Law: "Not Just About Jail"

Introducing the Bill, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said existing criminal laws had proved inadequate against organised anti-social elements, and that the legislation aimed to curb organised crime, prevent riots and violence, and hold those responsible for destroying public and private property accountable. He stressed the law was "not merely about sending people to jail" but also about recovering compensation and confiscating the assets of offenders, adding that the right to protest could not extend to a right to destroy property.

Year-Long Detention, Limited Legal Representation

The Bill's centrepiece is its preventive detention framework: the State Government can detain a person for up to twelve months if satisfied it is necessary to stop anti-social activities, based on a report from a Superintendent of Police or higher. District Magistrates and Police Commissioners may also be authorised to exercise this power in notified areas. Notably, detainees will not ordinarily be allowed legal representation before the Advisory Board reviewing their case, though this restriction can be waived for recorded reasons. The Board, headed by a sitting or former High Court judge, must review each detention within three weeks.

Wide Powers: Raids, Seizure, Externment

Authorities can act against those absconding from detention orders, seek court proclamations, attach properties, and search, seize and confiscate assets tied to anti-social activities. Offences under the law are cognisable and non-bailable, overriding provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The law's sweeping definition of "anti-social activity" covers acts causing fear or insecurity, threats to life or property, disruption of public order, obstruction of trade, unlawful dispossession of property, and organised extortion. It also targets habitual offenders, gang leaders, and those who shelter or assist people facing detention or externment orders.

Companion Bill On Riot Compensation

Alongside this, the Assembly also passed the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Amendment Bill, which makes those responsible for damaging public or private property during riots or unlawful assemblies liable to pay compensation, through a newly proposed Claims Commission tasked with assessing losses and fixing accountability.