Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal Leader of Opposition, has issued a defamation notice to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, demanding all evidence supporting her alleged coal scam claims within 72 hours, calling the accusations baseless and malicious.
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KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL: In a crucial political development in West Bengal, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Shri Suvendu Adhikari has sent a formal defamation notice to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The notice, issued by advocate Suryaneel Das, accuses the Chief Minister of making “reckless, baseless, and wholly unsubstantiated allegations” against Adhikari on January 8 and 9, 2026. The notice states:
“It has come to the knowledge of my client that on 08.01.2026 and again on 09.01.2026, you have made reckless, baseless, and wholly unsubstantiated allegations against my client by publicly insinuating that my client, along with the Union Home Minister of India, is involved in an alleged coal scam. You have further claimed that you are in possession of evidence in support of such allegations…“On the contrary, my client states that such statements appear to be part of a calculated and sinister design to divert public attention from serious issues concerning you, your family members, and your political party, which are presently engaging public scrutiny.”
According to the legal notice, Mamata Banerjee allegedly insinuated that Adhikari, in collaboration with the Union Home Minister of India, is involved in a coal scam. The notice further claims that the Chief Minister stated she possesses evidence supporting these allegations. Adhikari’s legal team has demanded that all particulars, documents, and purported evidence be furnished within 72 hours of receiving the notice.
It cautions that failure to comply could lead to:
“…appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against you at your sole risk as to costs and consequences, including but not limited to proceedings for defamation under the applicable provisions of law.”
The notice, which cites Adhikari’s political stature as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserts that the statements made by Mamata Banerjee are malicious and intended to “malign, defame, and lower the reputation” of Adhikari and his family in public perception.
Adhikari’s team also suggested that these allegations may be part of a “calculated and sinister design” aimed at diverting public attention from matters concerning the Chief Minister, her family, and her political party. The legal notice warns that failure to produce the requested evidence could lead to civil and criminal proceedings for defamation.
The notice also contains a caution regarding any psychological or psychiatric conditions affecting the Chief Minister, stating that such conditions, if relevant, must be disclosed and will be considered in accordance with the law.
This defamation notice adds another layer to the already tense political scenario in West Bengal, with both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) actively engaging in political maneuvers ahead of the upcoming elections.
As of now, Mamata Banerjee or her office has not officially responded to the notice. Political observers predict that this legal development could escalate tensions between the state’s ruling party and the opposition, making it a key story in West Bengal politics in the coming days.
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