India: Raj Bhawan staff members summoned in complaint against Bengal Governor
India: Raj Bhawan staff members summoned in complaint against Bengal Governor
The Kolkata Police’s Special Enquiry Team (SET) on Saturday (May 4) summoned three Raj Bhawan personnel in connection with the molestation allegations against West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose.
However, none of the personnel showed up for interrogation, reported news agency ANI citing sources.
West Bengal Police have directed the SET authorities to investigate the molestation allegations levelled by a woman employee at Raj Bhawan against Governor CV Ananda Bose.
The team has also asked Raj Bhawan to share the CCTV footage.
However, they have neither received the requested CCTV footage nor did any of the personnel turn up for questioning.
According to the sources the police will once again issue summons, asking them to appear on May 6.
“Hare Street PS had requested 3 Raj Bhawan personnel to come over to the PS this afternoon, to facilitate the enquiry (4th was from KP – who attended). CCTV footage was also asked for. None from Raj Bhawan turned up for enquiry. CCTV footage is yet to be received. We will request again on Monday (6 May)–no other enquiry plan till then,” police sources said.
Earlier, Bose had issued an order barring the police and Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya from entering the Raj Bhavan following the accusations.
The directive said that the entry of West Bengal Minister Bhattacharya into the Raj Bhavan premises of Kolkata, Darjeeling and Barrackpore is banned for “defamation and anti-constitutional media statements”.
“For defamation and anti-constitutional media statements against Governor, a junior gubernatorial appointee Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Department of Finance has been banned entry into the Raj Bhavan premises of Kolkata, Darjeeling and Barrackpore,” read the order.
Sexual allegations against Bose
One of the women employees at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday (May 2) alleged that she was sexually harassed by the West Bengal Governor.
West Bengal Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya stated that a woman had lodged a complaint against the Governor accusing him of molestation ahead of PM Modi’s visit to the state.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Bengal. His stay has been arranged at the Raj Bhavan. Before this, a woman has gone to the police station to file a complaint against the Governor accusing him of molestation,” Bhattacharya said.
“What kind of incident is this, when the Governor says that he will create a ‘peace room’ and listen to everyone’s problems, but here the same Governor is insulting women,” she added.
Responding to the allegations, the West Bengal Governor released a statement saying that he will not be oppressed by “engineered narratives” and the “truth shall triumph” after TMC leaders said that a woman employed at Raj Bhavan accused Bose of molestation.
“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,” the Governor said.
(With inputs from agencies)