Calcutta High Court Restrains Mamata Banerjee from Defamatory Statements Against Governor

The Calcutta High Court has barred West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and three others from making defamatory statements against Governor CV Ananda Bose. Justice Krishna Rao issued an interim order requiring the defendants to refrain from defamatory comments until August 14, 2024. The case stems from a dispute over the venue for the oath-taking ceremony of two TMC MLAs.

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday issued an interim order restraining West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and three others from making defamatory or incorrect statements against Governor CV Ananda Bose.

Justice Krishna Rao will hear the matter again on August 14. The order follows a defamation suit filed by Governor Bose against Banerjee and two newly-elected TMC MLAs, Sayantika Banerjee and Reyat Hossain Sarkar, as well as party leader Kunal Ghosh. The dispute arose after comments made by Banerjee concerning the oath-taking ceremony's venue for the two new MLAs.

The court has further directed Banerjee and the others to file their affidavits in opposition within two weeks and for Bose to respond within one week thereafter. Banerjee's lawyer, Sanjay Basu, announced plans to challenge the court's order before a higher bench.

(With inputs from agencies.)