CPI(M) suspends Tanmay Bhattacharya over molestation allegations, investigation stalls with no progress

Tanmay Bhattacharya, a senior leader of CPI(M), was suspended following allegations of molesting a female journalist. The incident, which allegedly took place at a public event, involved Bhattacharya reportedly sitting on the journalist’s lap, leading to the formal suspension by the party. In response to these allegations, CPI(M)’s leadership initiated an internal inquiry committee to investigate the matter.

Over two and a half months have passed since the suspension, but the investigation has yet to produce a definitive outcome. The internal inquiry committee, consisting of three members—Anju Kar, Shyamali Pradhan, and Sumit De—has questioned Bhattacharya once during this period. Despite this, no further steps have been taken by the committee, and there has been no official update on the investigation’s progress. No new hearings or meetings have been scheduled by the committee thus far.

In addition to the internal inquiry, Bhattacharya has also been questioned multiple times by the Barahnagar police as part of their ongoing investigation into the molestation allegations. However, no further developments or conclusions have been communicated by the police regarding the status of their investigation.

Bhattacharya’s suspension and the delayed investigation have raised concerns within CPI(M) about his participation in the upcoming district and state conferences. The North 24 Parganas district conference, scheduled for early February, will be a key event, and Bhattacharya’s eligibility to attend will depend on the outcome of the inquiry. If the investigation remains unresolved by the time of the conference, it may affect his ability to participate.

To ensure his privacy during the investigation, Bhattacharya has installed CCTV cameras at his residence. Despite his suspension, Bhattacharya has not made any public statements, and no new information has emerged regarding the internal inquiry committee’s next steps. The party has not announced a timeline for when the investigation will be concluded or when a decision regarding Bhattacharya’s future in the party will be made.