KOLKATA POLICE LAUNCH HELPLINES TO REPORT FORCED PUJA SUBSCRIPTION COLLECTION

September 25, 2026

KOLKATA: Kolkata Police has introduced dedicated helplines for citizens to report harassment or forced collection of subscriptions by Durga Puja organisers ahead of the festive season.

A 24-hour toll-free number, 1800-345-5678, and a WhatsApp number, 94326-24365, have been made available for complaints. Police have urged residents to immediately report any attempt to forcibly collect Puja subscriptions.

Police said forced collection of subscriptions would be treated as extortion, irrespective of the circumstances cited by organisers. The move comes amid concerns that some smaller Puja committees could face financial difficulties because of reduced corporate sponsorship this year.

Complaints of coercive subscription collection have been reported in Kolkata and other parts of Bengal in previous years, including allegations involving motorists, shopkeepers, business owners and residents. Police said many such incidents may remain unreported and urged people facing harassment to approach the authorities.

The helplines have been introduced ahead of Durga Puja, when thousands of clubs and community organisations across Kolkata and Bengal organise celebrations and raise funds through subscriptions and sponsorships.