Molestation Complainant Moves Supreme Court Against Bengal Governor’s Immunity

New Delhi: A contractual woman employee, who accused West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose of molesting her, has appriached the Supreme Court challenging the “blanket immunity” given to governors under Article 361(2) of the Constitution, saying it rendered her ‘remediless’.

According to Article 361(2), “No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President, or the Governor of a State, in any court during his term of office.”

In her petition, the complainant urged the apex court to frame specific guidelines on immunity from criminal prosecution enjoyed by governors under the Constitution.

She had lodged a complaint with the Kolkata Police alleging that she was molested by Bose in the Governor’s House on April 24 and May 2. She demanded an inquiry into the case by the West Bengal Police and protection for her and her family besides compensation from the government for loss of her reputation.

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