West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has vehemently denied media reports suggesting that President Droupadi Murmu returned the state's Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, also known as the Goonda Bill. Adhikari labeled these reports as baseless, fake, and artificially spread, assuring that the bill is progressing through the normal legislative channels. He clarified that a portion of the bill concerning property attachment and recovery has already been implemented, and the remaining parts, including preventive arrest measures, will be implemented soon. Adhikari further emphasized that the term 'goonda' is a fabrication by journalists and not part of the bill, which he stated is clearly formulated within the state's constitutional powers under Schedule 7 and Article 254(2). He dismissed any potential conflicts with central legislation like the NDPS Act, asserting the bill's clarity and legality.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has vehemently denied media reports suggesting that President Droupadi Murmu returned the state's Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, also known as the Goonda Bill. Adhikari labeled these reports as baseless, fake, and artificially spread, assuring that the bill is progressing through the normal legislative channels. He clarified that a portion of the bill concerning property attachment and recovery has already been implemented, and the remaining parts, including preventive arrest measures, will be implemented soon. Adhikari further emphasized that the term 'goonda' is a fabrication by journalists and not part of the bill, which he stated is clearly formulated within the state's constitutional powers under Schedule 7 and Article 254(2). He dismissed any potential conflicts with central legislation like the NDPS Act, asserting the bill's clarity and legality.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has vehemently denied media reports suggesting that President Droupadi Murmu returned the state's Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, also known as the Goonda Bill. Adhikari labeled these reports as baseless, fake, and artificially spread, assuring that the bill is progressing through the normal legislative channels. He clarified that a portion of the bill concerning property attachment and recovery has already been implemented, and the remaining parts, including preventive arrest measures, will be implemented soon. Adhikari further emphasized that the term 'goonda' is a fabrication by journalists and not part of the bill, which he stated is clearly formulated within the state's constitutional powers under Schedule 7 and Article 254(2). He dismissed any potential conflicts with central legislation like the NDPS Act, asserting the bill's clarity and legality.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has rubbished media reports claiming that President Droupadi Murmu had returned the state’s Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, also known as the Goonda Bill.

“This is baseless, fake, and this news has been artificially published and spread. I assure you again that there are two parts to the bill in the state Assembly. One part has already been implemented; the other will be implemented soon. Those who consider themselves goondas are saying that the bill has been returned,” said Suvendu Adhikari.

The chief minister explained that any bill that has to be sent to the President must first go through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He said initial preparations are being made by the Law Department, along with other departments, to put the details in place before the bill is sent to the MHA and subsequently to President Murmu. Adhikari described this as a “normal” process.

“There are two parts to the bill. The part that covers the attachment of property and recovery of money with interest has already been executed,” the chief minister said, adding that the second component of the legislation deals with preventive arrest.

“There is no word ‘goonda’ (goon) in the bill; it has been manufactured by journalists,” the chief minister clarified.

“This bill is completely crystal clear. We formulated it within our powers as enlisted under Schedule 7 and Article 254(2) of the Constitution,” he asserted.

There were reports that the bill had been returned by the President because of a potential conflict with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Reports suggested that a note sent with the bill to the state government mentioned that the term “goonda” could overlap with the preventive detention framework under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, which is a central legislation concerning persons involved in narcotics-related activities.

The note reportedly stated that duplication with the NDPS Act could be avoided. Adhikari, however, rubbished these claims.