Governor CV Anand Bose filed a defamation case against Mamata Banerjee in the Calcutta High Court, heard today(on 15th July), by Justice Krishna Rao. The court reserved its decision on the interim order following arguments from both parties during the hearing.
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KOLKATA: Governor CV Anand Bose has filed a defamation case against the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, in the Calcutta High Court. The case was heard today (on 15th July) before Justice Krishna Rao. Following arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision on the interim order.
The governor’s lawyer stated during Monday’s hearing-
“Defamatory statements have been made about the governor.”
He elaborated that the Governor had written to two newly elected MLAs without any threatening content, yet comments were made implying that women feared going to the Raj Bhavan.
“This is a hateful comment,”
-the lawyer asserted.
“There have been comments against the Governor, it is correct.”
The Chief Minister’s lawyer responded, highlighting-
“There have been two allegations. A female Raj Bhavan worker and a dancer filed complaints. The chief minister made those comments in response to these complaints. His remarks are not defamatory. He made them in the interest of the general public.”
Further defending the Chief Minister, he added-
“The Chief Minister stated in the media, ‘Why should everyone go to the Raj Bhavan? Women don’t feel safe going there.’ These statements were made in response to public concerns expressed to him. This cannot be considered defamation. The Chief Minister made these remarks publicly, exercising his freedom of speech.”
The governor’s lawyer countered, pointing out-
“No FIR has been filed against the Governor due to his constitutional position. However, an FIR has been lodged against his OSD. A case has been filed in the High Court, which has stayed the FIR.”
He questioned the additional matters being included, saying-
“The MLAs will be taking their oath. This falls under administrative functions. However, why was another issue added there?”
After listening to the arguments, Justice Rao postponed the hearing without issuing any interim instructions. This case, although concluding the day’s hearing, remains unresolved, with the date for the next session yet to be announced.
In a recent government meeting at Navanna, Mamata Banerjee criticized the governor over the delay in the swearing-in of MLAs Sayantika Banerjee and Rayat Hussain.
Mamata remarked-
“Even after their election victory, my MLAs have been waiting for a month! The governor has not permitted them to take oath. These individuals were elected by the people. Why does he have the right to prevent them from taking oath? He should either delegate this authority to the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker. If not, he should take the matter to the assembly itself. Why should everyone visit his residence? He complained to me that the women are afraid to go to the Raj Bhavan because of the ‘fame scam.'”
The initial hearing of this case took place last Wednesday, but Justice Rao deferred the proceedings to July 15 without making any comments, apart from scheduling the next hearing. That same day, a controversial post appeared on the Raj Bhavan’s official page but was soon deleted.
The post in a Q&A format asked-
“Has the Calcutta High Court issued any orders prohibiting the making of derogatory remarks against the Governor?”
The answer claimed-
“The Calcutta High Court has verbally ordered that no derogatory remarks should be made against the Governor.”
The Raj Bhavan added that the governor’s lawyer had confirmed the acceptance of the defamation case and mentioned that a hearing for an order against the defamatory comments would occur on Monday. It stated verbally that no derogatory comments should be made in the meantime.
Despite these claims, the court did not comment on the defamation case last Wednesday. The governor’s lawyer appealed for an immediate halt to the defamatory remarks, but the judge deferred the matter for further hearing, indicating that discussions would continue on the following Monday.
