Guv vs CM: Calcutta HC adjourns hearing of defamation suit till July 4

The defamation suit against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, lodged by state Governor CV Ananda Bose, was up for hearing today in Calcutta High Court. However, the Court adjourned the matter till Thursday.

The matter will appear for hearing on Thursday after Governor Bose's lawyer makes necessary changes in the appeal. Bose's lawyer claimed that baseless allegations were being made against the governor. He also prayed for an interim injunction on further statements by the defendants in the defamation suit.

High Court Justice Krishna Rao noted that publications referred to in the suit have not been made party in it. Following this, the Governor's lawyer sought time to file a fresh application, incorporating necessary changes.

Meanwhile Sanjay Basu, lawyer of CM Mamata Banerjee, while speaking to media, said ,"We have learnt that a defamation suit has been filed against the CM and others, over the CM's alleged statements that women feel unsafe in the Raj Bhawan. Given recent incidents where women have approached law enforcement agencies with allegations related to the Raj Bhawan, it would be appropriate to express the anguish of women, especially when the CM herself is a woman."

Basu added, "Though we have not received copies, the suit also appears to be an attempt by the Governor to raise other political issues, such as the refusal of elected members to take oath before the Speaker, under the guise of defamation. We will defend these allegations appropriately."

Governor Bose had filed a defamation case against Banerjee on June 28, a day after she claimed women complained to her that they were afraid to visit the Raj Bhavan because of the activities there.