West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Sunday directed all Raj Bhavan staffers to disregard any communication from the Kolkata Police regarding a woman employee's complaint of molestation against him. In a detailed statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the West Bengal Governor office asserted that no criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President, or the governor of a state in any court during his or her term of office.
"It is clear that in view of Article 361 (2) and (3) of the Constitution of India, the state police cannot act in any manner whatsoever to inquire/investigate/set in motion any kind of proceedings against the hon'ble governor. No process for the arrest or imprisonment...shall issue from any court during his term of office," the governor said in the post, drafted as a communique to Raj Bhavan employees.
He further wrote that, “In the circumstances, all staff/ employees including part-time, temporary, DRW (Daily Rated Workers) or those engaged in Raj Bhavan in any manner are hereby directed to ignore any communication from the police in this respect and refrain from giving any statement online, offline, in person, over phone or in any other manner…”
Significantly, the direction comes after Kolkata Police constituted an inquiry team to probe into the woman's allegation against the governor. the Kolkata Police team has earlier summoned three Raj Bhavan officials and a policeman posted at the governor's house in connection with its investigation.
Speaking about the current development in the probe, the Kolkata Police official said "None of the Raj Bhavan officials turned up for enquiry, and only the policeman attended. We will request them to come to the Hare Street Police Station again on Monday. No other plan of enquiry till then."
It is pertinent to note that earlier a contractual woman employee of Raj Bhavan lodged a written police complaint, alleging sexual molestation case against West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose. However, theWest Bengal governor refuted the charges, stating that “truth would triumph,” and he would not be “cowed down by engineered narratives”.
"I welcome all the generous allegations and the frequent innuendoes passed on me by some political forces. I understand, my friends, there is more in the offing. But one thing is clear, none of the absurd dramas is going to deter me from my determined efforts to expose corruption and curb violence," Bose said in a recorded statement released by Raj Bhavan.
"I have braved many storms. I tell the political party that is plotting against me, this is no storm. This is only a storm in a teacup. Do not be surprised if you realise I am the storm. Bring out all the weapons from your armoury. Use it against me. I am willing. I am prepared. I shall continue my fight for the dignity and respect of my brothers and sisters of Bengal," he added.
