In a recent ruling, the Calcutta High Court has lifted a restriction previously placed on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, allowing her to make statements regarding Governor CV Ananda Bose as long as they are not defamatory. This decision follows defamation charges filed by the Governor after Banerjee alleged that women were afraid to visit the Raj Bhavan due to sexual harassment accusations against him.
The Chief Minister had appealed to the Calcutta High Court after a single bench initially barred her from making potentially defamatory remarks about the Governor. Upon reviewing her appeal, a division bench consisting of Justices IP Mukherji and Biswaroop Chowdhury concluded that Banerjee has the right to speak against the Governor, provided her statements do not defame him.
The court’s decision modifies the earlier order that had prohibited Banerjee from making any statements against Governor Bose. The appeal has now been scheduled for further hearing at a later date.
