West Bengal Governor bars police from entering Raj Bhavan following sexual harassment allegations
West Bengal Governor bars police from entering Raj Bhavan following sexual harassment allegations
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose issued an order barring the police and Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya from entering the Raj Bhavan after the Governor was allegedly accused of sexual harassment.
The directive said that the entry of West Bengal Minister Chandrima 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,” said the order.
It further stated that the Governor will not take part in any event that is attended by the Minister.
“The Attorney General of India has been contacted for further advice on further legal steps against the Minister,” the order added.
Sexual allegations against Bose
One of the women employees at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday (May 2) alleged that she was sexually harassed by West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose.
She also filed a complaint against Bose at the Hare Street police station in Kolkata.
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)