President Droupadi Murmu has returned West Bengal's anti-goonda bill to the state for reconsideration, according to media reports. The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, was passed by the state Assembly in June.

The reported objection concerns a clause that links offences under the NDPS Act — India's main drug law — to the bill's definition of a "goonda", a habitual offender. The Centre reportedly fears an overlap with the PITNDPS Act, a 1988 central law on preventive detention in drug cases.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari denied the reports on Friday evening, calling them "fake news" and saying the bill is still with the Home Ministry for consideration. The bill seeks wider powers against organised crime, extortion, illegal mining, cybercrime and public disorder.

The bill would also allow preventive detention of up to one year and bar offenders from entering a locality for a year, according to reports on its provisions.

It remains unclear when the bill will complete the assent process and become law.