West Bengal gov denies sexual harassment allegations against him, calls it ‘engineered narrative’

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose have denied allegations of sexual harassment against him calling it an “engineered narrative” for election benefits amid the Lok Sabha polls.

Earlier in the day, a contractual employee at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata had filed a complaint alleging that she was sexually harassed by Bose on April 24 and again on Thursday, according to a report by The Indian Express.

“If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) denying the allegations.

Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Raj Bhawan on Thursday where he will stay overnight. On Friday, he is scheduled to address three election rallies in Krishnanagar, Bolpur and Birbhum Lok Sabha constituencies.

“On 19.4.24, governor sir told me to take some time out and to meet him with my CV,” said the complaint, according to the newspaper.

“On 24.04.2024, at around 12.45 pm, he called me to his office room and, after some discussion, touched me. I somehow managed to leave the office room. He called me once again today, 02.05.2024.”

The complainant, who had reportedly been working at the Raj Bhavan since 2019, said she had taken her supervisor along with her. However, Bose allegedly told the supervisor to leave after a while.

“He [Bose] prolonged the conversation by talking about my promotion,” said the complaint. “He said he will call me at night and asked me not to tell anyone. When I refused, he tried to touch me. I protested and left.”

Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress has said the “sanctity of Raj Bhavan has been tarnished”. “Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to arrive at Raj Bhavan to spend the night, a woman was allegedly molested by the governor under the false pretext of job,” the party said in a social media post. 

“Such despicable behaviour must be condemned in the strongest terms. Justice must be delivered swiftly for the victim – no excuses, no delays!”

The governor is given legal immunity under Article 361 of the Constitution. The Article states: “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.”