West Bengal Notifies Part of the “Anti-Goonda” Law to Recover Violence Expenses and Public Property Damage from Violators

A portion of the West Bengal government’s new anti-social activities framework has gone into effect, allowing for the recovery of damages to private and public property resulting from riots, violent protests, arson, vandalism, and other violent occurrences. After the Governor’s approval, the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Act, 2026, which modifies the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, 1972, was announced on August 24.

The two actions are a part of the State’s larger anti-goonda strategy. According to the State’s most recent position, the Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill contains the preventive-detention and externment provisions and is awaiting Presidential assent, while the Maintenance of Public Order amendment, which deals with recovering compensation for property damage, has been put into effect.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the enforcement at a news conference held at the state secretariat on August 24. He stated that the newly operational rules would be used against people who attack on-duty police officers and vandalise government property.

According to him, the State will pursue recovery of the consequent financial loss in addition to prosecuting individuals responsible for such instances. According to Adhikari, anyone held liable for damaging government property would be required to pay three times the amount of the damage plus interest. Additionally, he cautioned that assaults on police officers would result in swift legal action.

A formal procedure for assessing property damage and obtaining compensation from those held liable is established by the new law. A Claims Commission is established by the modified law to evaluate losses resulting from damage to both public and private property in situations covered by the statute.

Property damaged by rioting, arson, vandalism, violent protests, and other anti-social activities may be covered by the recovery procedure. The law allows for the recovery of the assessed sum from individuals who fall under its statutory purview, including those who were proven to have incited or funded the acts of violence. The legislation allows for recovery using statutory processes, such as property attachment and auction, in cases when the sum set as compensation is not paid. According to the State Government, the goal is to prevent the public exchequer from bearing the final financial burden of the destruction of public assets.

Adhikari announced that damage to government assets would result in a financial liability of three times the damage’s value, plus interest, aiming to strengthen public order and protect government property. The chief minister emphasized that attacks on police officers would lead to swift legal action.

This new enforcement, distinct from the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, addresses vandalism, while the Bill includes broader preventive measures, such as potential detention of classified “goonda” individuals. The Bill awaits Presidential assent, as noted during recent court challenges, where it was clarified that it does not yet have operative status.