Inquiry Dismisses Molestation Charges Against West Bengal Governor

An internal preliminary inquiry by a Raj Bhavan panel has dismissed molestation charges against West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, made by a former female staff member. The report, released on Saturday, deemed the complaints as ill-motivated.

The report, compiled by D Ramabathirani, a former district judge of the Pondicherry Judicial Service, stated that the allegations of sexual misconduct on April 24 and May 2 were unfounded. The committee reviewed multiple newspaper clippings from May 3 to May 7 and interviewed eight Raj Bhavan staff members, including two ADCs and the OSD to the Governor.

Governor's Allegations Dismissed

The timing of the alleged incident on May 2, coinciding with the Prime Minister's visit to Raj Bhavan, raised doubts about the veracity of the claims. The report noted that the Special Protection Group (SPG) had already secured the premises before the alleged incident occurred. Given these circumstances, it seemed highly unlikely that the Governor would engage in misconduct at such a moment.

The complainant had accused the Governor of sexual misconduct on April 24 and May 2 at Raj Bhavan. However, during the May 2 meeting, when a Raj Bhavan supervisor was present, she remained in the chamber even after he left. Other female staff members testified that they did not experience any inappropriate behaviour from the Governor.

Political Reactions

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh criticised the preliminary inquiry report, calling it "a piece of trash." He accused the Governor of exonerating himself by appointing a judge of his choice for the probe. "If he is innocent, why is he evading interrogation by the Kolkata Police?" Ghosh asked. "If he is sure he had not committed any wrongdoing, why is he seeking immunity under Article 361 of the Indian Constitution as Governor? Let him face questioning by investigators."

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee filed an appeal before a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday. She challenged a single bench order restraining her and three others from making defamatory or incorrect statements against Bose. The single bench had issued this interim order on Tuesday in response to a defamation suit filed by the Governor.

Legal Proceedings

Banerjee's appeal contests this order, which remains in effect until August 14. The order also restrained newly elected MLAs Sayantika Banerjee and Reyat Hossain Sarkar, along with TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, from making defamatory or incorrect statements against Bose. The case will now be heard before a division bench.

TMC MP and lawyer Kalyan Banerjee weighed in late Saturday evening, calling the report an interference with judicial proceedings. "Prosecutor cannot be the judge of his own case @bengal governor," Banerjee posted on his X handle, tagging Home Minister Amit Shah and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. "Constitution of judicial committee by perpetrator of alleged offence dehores sic all laws. Publication of report today is tantamount to interference with judicial proceeding."

The report concluded that it was highly improbable for the Governor to engage in misconduct given the presence of SPG and other staff members during the alleged incidents. It labelled the charges as ill-motivated and baseless.