Calcutta High Court Lifts Gag Order on Mamata Banerjee, Allows Non-Defamatory Remarks About Governor
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday lifted an interim gag order imposed on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, allowing her to make statements about Governor CV Ananda Bose, provided they are not defamatory.
A Division Bench comprising Justice IP Mukerji and Justice Biswaroop Chowdhury modified the previous single-judge order, determining that Banerjee’s statements, which led to the defamation suit filed by Governor Bose, were not defamatory in nature.
The modification follows an appeal by Banerjee against the July 15 interim injunction issued by Justice Krishna Rao. This injunction had restricted Banerjee and three others from making defamatory or incorrect statements against Governor Bose. The initial order was in response to allegations made by Banerjee, including a statement suggesting that women felt unsafe entering the Raj Bhawan due to sexual harassment allegations against the Governor.
Justice Rao had justified the initial injunction by noting that Governor Bose, as a constitutional authority, could not counter such personal attacks effectively on social media. The single-judge emphasized that freedom of speech and expression does not permit defamatory statements that could harm a person’s reputation.
The Court had originally restrained Banerjee and the others from making any defamatory or incorrect statements against Governor Bose until August 14, to prevent potential harm to his reputation.
However, the Division Bench’s latest decision acknowledges Banerjee’s right to free speech, provided it does not involve defamatory content, effectively lifting the blanket gag order previously imposed.
(With inputs from agency)
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