West Bengal Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala has issued a stringent directive to all departments, prohibiting the removal, damage, or unauthorized copying of official files and documents. The order, circulated on May 4, 2026, places personal accountability on departmental secretaries and heads of offices to ensure full compliance, with strict action promised for violations.

This move coincides with the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) landslide win in the 2026 Assembly elections, securing over 200 seats and ending Mamata Banerjee's 15-year Trinamool Congress rule. As results poured in, BJP's tally crossed 167 won and 41 leading, marking a thumping majority.

Insiders suggest the directive signals an impending purge in the state bureaucracy. Sources indicate a top-level order that "heads must roll" for officials responsible for fostering a nexus of middlemen, which allegedly plagued governance under the previous regime. Departments must halt unnecessary file movements, block unauthorized access, and maintain meticulous records of all communications.

The communication was forwarded to additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, police chiefs, divisional commissioners, and district magistrates, underscoring its urgency. This precautionary lockdown aims to preserve records for potential investigations into corruption and irregularities.