Calcutta HC Restrains Mamata, TMC Leaders From Making Defamatory Remarks Against Governor

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other TMC leaders, preventing them from making “any defamatory or incorrect statement" against Governor CV Ananda Bose on social media platforms.

In its ruling, a single-judge bench led by Justice Krishna Rao issued an interim order in the defamation suit filed by the West Bengal Governor, restraining Mamata and other Trinamool Congress leaders from making any defamatory statements on social media till August 14.

“In view of the above, the defendants are restrained from making any defamatory or incorrect statement against the plaintiff by way of publication and on social platforms till 14th August, 2024," the court stated.

The court emphasised that Governor Bose holds a “constitutional authority" position and cannot be subjected to personal attacks.

“The plaintiff is a Constitutional Authority. He cannot meet the personal attacks being made by the defendants against him by taking the benefit of social media platform," the court remarked, as per Bar and Bench.

Additionally, the court observed that the right to freedom of speech and expression is not an unrestricted right in the guise of which defamatory statements can be made to tarnish the reputation of a person.

“If at this stage, an interim order is not granted it would give the free hands to the defendants to continue making defamatory statements against the plaintiff and continue to tarnish the reputation of the plaintiff," it added.

‘Truth Will Triumph’: Ananda Bose

Welcoming the high court’s ruling, Bose in a 23-second video message posted on the Raj Bhavan’s YouTube channel, said, “Truth will triumph. We shall pray God throws light on the path of Mamata Banerjee. I dedicate myself and the service for the people of Bengal."

The Bengal governor had filed a defamation case against Mamata on June 28, a day after she claimed women complained to her that they were afraid to visit the Raj Bhavan.

Bose filed a defamation case against Mamata on June 28, one day after she asserted that women had expressed fear about visiting the Raj Bhavan.

During an administrative meeting at the state secretariat on June 27, Banerjee said, “Women have informed me they are afraid to visit the Raj Bhavan due to recent incidents reported there."

In response to her remarks, the governor had said it was expected of public representatives not to create “erroneous and slanderous impressions."

(With inputs from PTI)