A tumultuous wave swept through West Bengal's political landscape as allegations of molestation surfaced against Governor CV Anand Bose, the state's constitutional chief. The accusations emerged from a temporary female worker at Raj Bhavan, who filed a formal complaint at Kolkata's Hare Street police station on Thursday.
In her written statement, the woman alleged that the governor had molested her under the guise of promising her employment, an act she claimed occurred not once, but twice.
Coincidentally, news of the complaint emerged just ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated visit to Raj Bhavan. Scheduled public engagements in Krishnanagar, Bolpur, and East Burdwan on Friday added a layer of significance to the unfolding events.
The allegations have ignited a fierce debate within West Bengal's political circles, prompting heightened scrutiny of the governor's conduct. Despite the gravity of the accusations, no official response has been issued by Raj Bhavan. Nevertheless, security measures at the governor's residence have been bolstered in the wake of the incident.
Under Indian constitutional provisions, the governor enjoys legal immunity from prosecution, shielding them from police intervention or legal proceedings. Articles 361 and 361/2 of the Constitution extend this protection to the constitutional heads of states, rendering them immune from interrogation, arrest, or criminal charges.
Sources within Kolkata Police Headquarters at Lalbazar revealed that legal experts are being consulted to navigate the complexities of such cases. The incident marks a historic first in West Bengal's post-independence era, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the allegations.
In recent years, tensions between West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress and the governor's office have escalated, reaching a crescendo under the tenure of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, the former governor. The Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has repeatedly criticized Raj Bhavan's perceived alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing governors of pursuing a partisan agenda. Governor Anand Bose has also faced censure from the ruling party for alleged proximity to the BJP, further exacerbating political tensions in the state.
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