Today(on 3rd July), The Calcutta High Court has rescheduled the hearing of West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose’s defamation suit against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Thursday. Governor Bose filed the case after Banerjee’s remarks about women feeling unsafe at Raj Bhavan.
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KOLKATA: Today(on 3rd July), The Calcutta High Court has postponed the hearing of West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose’s defamation suit against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee until Thursday. The defamation case, originally filed by Governor Bose on June 28, follows Banerjee’s public statements that women have reported feeling unsafe visiting the Raj Bhavan.
Background of the Defamation Case
On June 27, when during an administrative meeting at the state secretariat,
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated-
“Women have told me they fear visiting Raj Bhavan because of recent incidents reported there.”
This comment prompted Governor Bose to take legal action, asserting that Banerjee’s remarks were defamatory and created a false narrative about the environment at Raj Bhavan.
The defamation suit was brought before the bench of Justice Krishna Rao. However, the hearing was adjourned until Thursday to allow for further deliberations.
Governor Bose’s Response
Following the remarks made by Chief Minister Banerjee, Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed his disappointment, stating that it was the duty of public representatives to avoid creating “erroneous and slanderous impressions.” His response highlighted the potential damage to the reputation of Raj Bhavan and the implications of such statements on public perception.
Incident at Raj Bhavan
The situation escalated after a contractual woman employee of Raj Bhavan alleged that Governor Bose molested her on May 2. The Kolkata Police initiated an inquiry into the matter, further fueling the controversy surrounding Raj Bhavan.
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Despite these allegations, Article 361 of the Indian Constitution provides that no criminal proceedings can be instituted against a governor during their term in office. This constitutional provision has been a significant factor in the ongoing legal discussions and has contributed to the complexities of the case.
The defamation suit against Mamata Banerjee is not just a legal battle but also a significant political event. It underscores the ongoing tension between the state government and the governor’s office in West Bengal. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for both parties involved and might set a precedent for future interactions between state officials and the governor.
The adjournment of the hearing by the Calcutta High Court has given both parties additional time to prepare their cases.
