Kolkata:

The Union Home Ministry has initiated disciplinary action against Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and a DCP for allegedly maligning the office of the West Bengal Governor by promoting and spreading canards, a central government official said.

The Union ministry action came after Governor CV Ananda Bose submitted a report to it regarding Vineet Goyal and Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner (DCP) Central Indira Mukherjee, alleging that they were “functioning in a manner which is completely unbecoming of a public servant”, he said.

CV Ananda Bose’s report, submitted to the Home Minister in late June, highlighted issues such as Kolkata Police officers preventing victims of post-poll violence from meeting the Governor despite his permission.

“The Union Home Ministry has initiated disciplinary action against the IPS officers based on a detailed report by Mr Bose,” the official told PTI. Copies of the letter were sent to the state government on July 4.

The Governor also accused other police officers, posted at the Raj Bhavan, of promoting and encouraging concocted allegations by a woman employee during April-May 2024, the official added.

“These IPS officers through their acts have not only tarnished the office of the Governor but also functioned in a manner which is completely unbecoming of a public servant. They have conveniently chosen to ignore the Conduct Rules,” he added.

In his report, CV Ananda Bose mentioned Kolkata Police’s alleged new practice of issuing identity cards to Raj Bhavan staff and frisking them upon entry and exit, despite objections from the Governor’s office.

“Preventing a delegation of victims of violence from various parts of West Bengal, accompanied by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, from meeting Mr Bose and subsequently detaining them is an affront to the Constitutional authority of the Governor,” the official said.

The official noted that it was troubling that the victims had to move court to meet the Governor.

Referring to the Kolkata Police’s “total silence” on CV Ananda Bose’s June 13 directive to remove the police contingent from Raj Bhavan, the official said, “it was seen as defying orders”.

“Since mid-June, Kolkata Police posted at Raj Bhavan unilaterally set up a ‘security mechanism’ without the Governor’s knowledge and consent, effectively placing the entire establishment under ‘arrest’ and ‘watch’,” he said.

CV Ananda Bose’s report also mentioned that a preliminary internal inquiry found allegations of sexual molestation against him by a former Raj Bhavan employee to be part of a “pre-written script.” “Kolkata Police Commissioner and Indira Mukherjee formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with unusual speed and continued media briefings to create a false impression that the Governor could face criminal proceedings,” the report said.

The report also alleged that Vineet Goyal and Mukherjee were instrumental in promoting another ‘complaint’ from January 2023.

“It was reported that Kolkata Police registered a ‘zero FIR’ at a local police station and transferred the case to New Delhi. On June 17, 2024, the alleged complainant publicly said she had nothing against the Governor and wanted to withdraw it. However, Kolkata Police did not allow her to do so,” the official said.

CV Ananda Bose had written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requesting action against Vineet Goyal and Indira Mukherjee, but no steps were taken, nor was there any communication from her office.

CV Ananda Bose also referred to his recent visit to Siliguri to meet victims of Chopra violence, questioning the conduct of some officials in the state.

“Their conduct is not per the All India Services rules and protocol manuals. The state government was duly informed. However, in flagrant violation of protocol, the Darjeeling DM and Siliguri Police Commissioner did not call on the Governor. Unfortunately, this was not a one-off incident. There have been several similar cases of such lapses in the past,” he said.

When contacted, Vineet Goyal said he had no information about the Union Home Ministry’s action.

“I have no information about this. If anything has come, it must have gone to the state government,” Vineet Goyal told PTI.

Indira Mukherjee echoed Vineet Goyal’s statement, saying she had not received any information about the matter.

Calls to state Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty went unanswered.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has hit out at the ruling Trinamool Congress after two of its leaders – Sayantika Banerjee and Reyat Hossain Sarkar – took oath as MLAs on Friday.

Ms Banerjee and Mr Sarkar won bypolls from the Baranagar and Bhagwangola constituencies, the results of which were declared on June 5. Their oaths, though, had been pending since and became the focus of a bitter and prolonged stand-off between the Trinamool and the Governor’s office.

Their oaths were eventually administered this evening by Speaker Biman Banerjee. After the ceremony was over, Trinamool legislators raised the ‘Jai Bangla‘ slogan in the House.

However, Mr Bose then declared that the Speaker had “defied Constitutional prescription” by administering their oaths despite the Governor’s office appointing his deputy, Ashish Banerjee.

However, Mr Banerjee declined to do so, pointing out the Speaker had precedence.

Mr Bose has said a report will be sent to President Droupadi Murmu “about the Constitutional impropriety of the Speaker in administering the oath to the two newly elected MLAs”.

“This Constitutional transgression has been done in spite of the Governor appointing the Deputy Speaker as the person before whom the two newly elected MLAs shall take their oaths.”

West Bengal Governor reacts to MLAs swearing-in this afternoon at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. https://t.co/zVNGi0D0Vvpic.twitter.com/VpntVwAITa

— Saurabh Gupta(Micky) (@MickyGupta84) July 5, 2024

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Mr Bose referred to a provision in the Constitution that says an MLA “shall, before taking his seat. Make and subscribe before the Governor, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose”.

He also dismissed the Speaker’s reference to other rules. “Can any rule be above the Constitution?”

Last week Ms Banerjee and Mr Sarkar had launched a sit-in protest outside the Assembly building after the Governor declined to either administer the oath or delegate the responsibility.

But earlier today he issued the communique authorising the Deputy Speaker to do so.

However, by then the Speaker had summoned a special session of the Assembly, declaring that the House could not, and would not, depend solely on the Governor’s nod to function. The Speaker, Mr Banerjee, earlier also sought the President’s help and accused the Governor of egoistic behaviour.

The stand-off was triggered by the Governor inviting the two MLAs to take oath at his residence.

READ | 2 Newly-Elected Trinamool MLAs Skip Governor’s Oath Invitation

The Speaker, and the Trinamool, insisted Mr Bose ought to come to the Assembly.

“We respect him… and the Constitution… but he is not giving us respect. He should come to the Assembly and conduct the oath-taking… or give this authority to the Speaker. We are sitting here with the Constitution… We are elected, unlike a nominated position like you…” Mr Banerjee said.

The oath ceremony, meanwhile, has also been criticised by the opposition BJP, which claimed it had not been told of the special session. “I had no information… did not get any notice. In every state, a courtesy call is given to the LoP but here there was no interaction…” Suvendu Adhikari said.

Mr Adhikari, a former aide of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who jumped to the BJP weeks before the Assembly election, is the Leader of the Opposition.

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Kolkata:

Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has flagged protocol violation during his visit to Siliguri yesterday, in a letter to the state government, sources have told NDTV.

The Governor flew in from Delhi to meet the victims of the recent violence at Siliguri State Guest House.

There have been incidents of violence in Bengal since last year’s panchayat elections but this cannot continue, Mr Bose said on Tuesday.

“Such incidents are happening under the leadership, support and patronage of the state government. The ruling party, bureaucrats, and corrupt police personnel are behind these incidents,” Mr Bose said after meeting the victims in Siliguri. He is likely to submit a report on his findings to the central government.

Sources in the Raj Bhavan say protocol was not followed on Tuesday when the Governor arrived at the Bagdogra airport. The Superintendent of Police (SP) and District Magistrate (DM) were not there to receive him.

It is protocol for the SP and DM to be present when the Governor arrives.

The Governor, say sources, has informed about the incident to the Union Home Minister and at least two top officials of the state, including the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner of Kolkata.

Sources say another IPS officer has also been named by the Governor.

The 73-year-old Governor has sought action against these officials and alleged that they have been instrumental in false cases filed against him.

The Governor and the Bengal Government have been on a collision course after a Raj Bhavan staffer filed a sexual assault complaint against the Governor earlier this year.

The police have carried out a probe even as the Governor has blocked the police from entering the Raj Bhavan.

The Governor has also filed a defamation case against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged comments made by her.

During an administrative meeting in the state secretariat on June 27, Ms Banerjee said “women have informed me they are afraid to visit Raj Bhavan due to recent incidents reported there”.

Following the Chief Minister’s remarks, the Governor had said it was expected of public representatives not to create “erroneous and slanderous impressions”.

In response, Sanjay Basu, Mamata Banerjee’s lawyer, said, “We have come to know that a defamation suit has been filed against the CM and others over alleged statements by the CM that women feel unsafe at Raj Bhavan. Given recent incidents where women have approached law enforcement agencies with allegations concerning Raj Bhavan, it would be fair justification to state the agony of women, more so when the CM herself is a woman.”

“Though we haven’t received copies, the suit also seems to be an attempt to canvass other political issues by the Governor such as his refusal to let elected members take their oath before the Speaker in the garb of defamation. We will defend these allegations appropriately,” Mr Basu added.

Kolkata:

A defamation suit filed by West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to be taken up for hearing before the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday.

Mr Bose filed a defamation case against Ms Banerjee on June 28, a day after she claimed that women complained to her saying that they were afraid to visit the Raj Bhavan because of the activities there.

The defamation suit filed by Mr Bose against Ms Banerjee is listed for hearing on Wednesday before the bench of Justice Krishna Rao, according to the high court’s website.

Following Ms Banerjee’s remarks, the governor had said that it was expected of public representatives not to create “erroneous and slanderous impressions.” 

During an administrative meeting in the state secretariat, Ms Banerjee on June 27 claimed that “women have informed her they are afraid to visit Raj Bhavan due to recent incidents reported there”.

On May 2, a contractual woman employee of Raj Bhavan had made an allegation of molestation against Bose, following which the Kolkata Police started an enquiry.

Under Article 361 of the Constitution, no criminal proceedings can be instituted against a governor during his/her term in office.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

The tussle between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor CV Ananda Bose was tarnishing the image of West Bengal, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on the defamation suit filed by Bose against Banerjee at Calcutta High Court, Mr Chowdhury said the allegations made by the chief minister were stunning and an investigation should take place.

“The CM should provide evidence to back her claims. Let there be a proper investigation,” he said.

Instead of making allegations, an impartial inquiry must be initiated into the claims by both sides, and appropriate action be taken as per law, he said.

“These allegations and counter-allegations are tarnishing the image of West Bengal. This is nothing but a shameful episode,” Mr Chowdhury said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Two newly-elected Trinamool Congress legislators, namely Sayantika Banerjee from Baranagar and Reyat Sarkar from Bhagawangola, ignored the invitation from West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose to go to Raj Bhavan and participate in the swearing-in ceremony.

Instead, the duo sat on a demonstration within the state Assembly premises and demanded that the Governor come there to administer the oaths.

Both carried posters saying, “Waiting for the arrival of Hon. Governor for oath” and also their certificates of election.

“I don’t know if I will be able to declare myself a legislator even after getting elected. I do not know whether I will be able to provide services to the people whose votes got me elected. The Governor should make it clear who will administer our oath and that should be intimated to the Assembly, which is supposed to be our workplace as MLAs,” Banerjee said.

“We want to take oath as MLAs. Hence we are waiting with our election certificates and other relevant documents. The Governor should ensure that we are able to participate in the oath ceremony,” Sarkar said.

The development creates grave uncertainty regarding the participation of Banerjee and Sarkar in the proceedings of the House as MLAs.

Raj Bhavan authorities have made it clear that as per constitutional provisions the Governor has the last word with regard to the oath ceremony and if any legislator participates in those proceedings without the Governor’s clearance, it can invite penalties.

The Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly has already said that if necessary he would draw the attention of President Murmu to the matter.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has demanded a report from the ruling Trinamool Congress on the violence in Sandeshkhali on poll day. But he was met with a rebuff. Senior party leader Shashi Panja said the Governor should “first explain what is the status of the sexual harassment probe against him”.

The letter posted on X, formerly Twitter, from Raj Bhavan, mentioned that the Governor has kept a “close watch on the evolving situation during the last phase of the elections in the state”.

“Such ghastly incidents of violence in Sandeshkhali, particularly on women, are the manifestations of the frustration which is faced by those who control the police in the State. Any expectation that the people’s anger against injustices by the misguided authorities can be crushed by violence is not acceptable,” read the letter from the Governor, who was among the first to visit Sandeshkhali after reports of sexual harassment of women by a local leader of the Trinamool Congress.

pic.twitter.com/E31NV82S2y

— Raj Bhavan Kolkata (@BengalGovernor) June 1, 2024

In February, Sandeshkhali, an island in the Sundarbans, erupted, with a group of people, mostly women, holding massive protest marches against the local Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accusing him of land grabbing and sexual exploitation.

The massive political row that followed made it one of the key election issues.

Events on the ground, though, went through multiple twists and turns, the last of which involved a viral video that claimed that some women were bribed by a BJP leader who wanted them to claim that they had been raped.

On Saturday, as the seventh and the last phase of election was in progress, clashes broke out between supporters of the BJP and Trinamool in Sandeshkhali over allegations of electoral malpractices. BJP candidate Rekha Patra alleged that Trinamool goons stopped people from casting their votes. The Trinamool accused her and BJP goons of trying to vitiate the poll atmosphere.

The two groups came to blows on the Basanti Express highway, and the police used batons and tear gas to restore calm.

Less than 24 hours later, Sandeshkhali witnessed another round of skirmishes between women and the police.

Earlier today, women in Agarhati village got involved in a scuffle with the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, fell tree trunks, and blocked roads when the police went in search of a few persons who allegedly attacked them on Saturday.

Kolkata:

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Sunday said he was worried after getting reports about post-poll violence in Sandeshkhali, and asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene immediately and restore peace there.

Speaking to PTI, Mr Bose said that he has written to Ms Banerjee asking her to inform him about the action taken against those involved in the incidents of violence in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.

“I am a bit worried about the situation in Sandeshkhali. From the inputs I have received, I have come to know about incidents of attacks on the women of Sandeshkhali within hours after the polling was over yesterday. I have written to the Chief Minister about the steps taken in this regard,” Mr Bose said.

“If such attacks continue and the inhabitants are tortured, I will open the doors of the Raj Bhavan for them to come and stay here. They will be provided safe shelter here,” he added.

In less than 24 hours after the election was over, trouble-torn Sandehkhali on Sunday witnessed another round of skirmishes between women and the police when the personnel went there and detained one person in connection with attacks on policemen the previous night.

Women in Agarhati village in Sandeshkhali got involved in a fight with the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, fell tree trunks, and blocked roads when the police went there in search of a few persons who had allegedly attacked them, a senior police officer said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Bringing up the Sandeshkhali issue, which was used by the BJP to rake her party over the coals, Mamata Banerjee has hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that while he had a lot to say at the time, he has kept quiet over the sexual harassment charges levelled against West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose despite being in the state when the allegations were made. 

The Trinamool Congress chief also asked Mr Bose – who had made a series of statements against the government over the alleged sexual harassment of women by a Trinamool leader and his aides in Sandeshkhali – how he could talk about the dignity of women when he has been accused of doing the same thing at his official residence.  

The governor has denied the allegations, calling them “engineered narratives”, and said he expects more such charges to be levelled at him. 

Addressing a rally in Bardhaman on Friday, Ms Banerjee said in Bengali, “He (PM Modi) has given so many messages (‘sandesh‘) on Sandeshkhali. I did not let any untoward incident happen there. There was an issue around land but we solved it by sending officers to the village. But what are you doing? Yesterday, a young woman working at the Raj Bhavan came out and spoke out against the governor’s harassment.”

“Even yesterday, he (the governor) asked why my minister spoke against him. I have heard of thousands of such incidents but I did not bring them up. But yesterday, the tears of the woman broke my heart. The governor spoke about Sandeshkhali but why did he do this to someone working for him? He molested her not once, but twice,” she asked.

Stating that she had seen the video of the woman’s testimony, the chief minister asked why the Prime Minister, who is in Bengal and had stayed at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday night, had not said anything. 

“Your people were also there when she left crying and said she was scared of working at the Raj Bhavan. She said he was called at odd hours and was subjected to harassment. And these are the people who talk about the dignity of our mothers and sisters,” she alleged. 

The temporary employee of the Raj Bhavan filed a complaint against the Governor on Thursday, accusing him of outraging her modesty, and West Bengal Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya was among the first to react to the allegation. 

“I wonder what is happening in the Raj Bhavan, and that too on a day when the Prime Minister is coming to the state,” the minister had said on Thursday. 

‘Won’t Be Cowed Down’

Mr Bose has denied the allegations. “Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives. If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God Bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal,” he said on Thursday.

Reacting again on Friday, he said, “I welcome all the generous allegations and the frequent innuendoes aimed at me by some political forces. I understand, my friends, there is more in the offing. But one thing is clear, none of these absurd dramas is going to deter me from my determined efforts to expose corruption and curb violence… A more sinister plot has been hatched in the Raj Bhavan”.

The Governor has also blocked the entry of the police and Ms Bhattacharya into the Raj Bhavan premises in Kolkata, Darjeeling, and Barrackpore.

Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said, “I support the statement that has come from Raj Bhavan. It is a heinous conspiracy by Mamata Banerjee.” 

Kolkata:

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose issued an order on Thursday night banning the entry of the police and Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya, into the Raj Bhavan.

The move came hours after a temporary female staff at the Raj Bhavan filed a written complaint with the police accusing the Governor of outraging her modesty.

“For defamation and anti-constitutional media statements against Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, a junior gubernatorial appointee Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Finance, has been banned entry into the Raj Bhavan premises in Kolkata, Darjeeling, and Barrackpore,” read a statement issued by the Governor’s office.

Ms Bhattacharya was the first to react after the allegation of molestation surfaced against the Governor.

“I wonder what is happening in the Raj Bhavan, and that too on a day when the Prime Minister is coming to the state,” Ms Bhattacharya said.

The statement issued by the Raj Bhavan also said that the Governor will not participate in any function attended by the Minister.

The Governor has also banned the entry of police into the Raj Bhavan premises.

“The Attorney General of India has been contacted for advice on further legal steps against the Minister. The Hon’ble Governor also banned the entry of police into the Raj Bhavan premises in the guise of conducting unauthorised, illegitimate, sham and motivated investigation to placate political bosses during elections,” the statement read.

In an earlier statement issued on Thursday evening, the Governor denied the molestation charge, calling it an attempt to gain electoral benefits.

“Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives. If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal,” it read.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)