Calcutta High Court Rules on Mamata Banerjee's Statements Regarding Governor
The Calcutta High Court, in a significant ruling on July 26, stated that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can make statements regarding Governor CV Ananda Bose as long as they "conform to the laws."
The court further clarified that Banerjee has the "full right" to express her opinions, provided her remarks are not "defamatory." This decision came in response to a challenge filed by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) against a July 15 single bench order that imposed an interim injunction on the CM.
The single bench order had directed Banerjee and three others to refrain from making any defamatory or incorrect statements against the Governor through publications or social media platforms until August 14. This order followed a defamation lawsuit filed by the Governor against the CM over certain remarks made in connection with a dispute between the Raj Bhavan and the Assembly.
The division bench, comprising Justice I P Mukerji and Justice Biswaroop Chowdhury, noted that the single bench's judgment did not explicitly declare the statements in question as defamatory or incorrect. They observed that the interim order lacked clarity regarding which specific statements were deemed defamatory and what content was restricted from publication. The court clarified that the order applied only to future statements and did not retroactively affect past communications.
The bench acknowledged the importance of protecting an individual's reputation while upholding the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed to every citizen of India. However, they emphasized that this freedom is subject to reasonable restrictions.