Siliguri, West Bengal, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose in a press meeting in Siliguri regarding lynching cases. Debasish Bhaduri’s photo Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
The Union Home Ministry has initiated disciplinary action against Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and Kolkata Central Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Indira Mukherjee for allegedly damaging the office of West Bengal Governor by promoting and spreading canards, a central government official said.
The Union Ministry’s action came after Governor CV Ananda Bose submitted a report on Mr. Goyal and Ms. Mukherjee, stating that he was “functioning in a manner unbecoming of a public servant”, he said.
Mr Bose’s report, submitted to the Home Minister in late June, highlighted issues such as Kolkata Police officers preventing victims of post-poll violence from meeting the Governor despite permission.
“The Union Home Ministry has initiated disciplinary action against IPS officers based on a detailed report by Bose,” the official said. PTI. A copy of the letter was sent to the state government on July 4.
The governor also accused another police officer, posted at Raj Bhavan, of promoting and encouraging allegations made by women employees during April-May 2024, the official added.
“This IPS officer, through his actions, not only destroyed the Governor’s office but also acted in a manner unbecoming of a civil servant. They have chosen to conveniently ignore the Code of Conduct,” he said.
Governor’s Report
In the report, Mr. Bose cited the recent practice of the Kolkata police of issuing identity cards to Raj Bhavan staff and harassing them during their entry and exit, despite objections from the Governor’s office.
“Preventing a delegation of violence victims from various parts of West Bengal, accompanied by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, from meeting Bose and then detaining him is an affront to the Governor’s Constitutional authority,” the official said.
The official noted that he was concerned that the victims had to move the court to meet the Governor.
Referring to the Kolkata Police’s “total silence” on Mr Bose’s June 13 directive to remove the police contingent from the Raj Bhavan, the official said, “it is seen as defying orders”.
“Since mid-June, the Kolkata Police has been deployed at the Raj Bhavan to unilaterally set up a ‘security mechanism’ without the knowledge and consent of the Governor, effectively placing the entire establishment under ‘arrest’ and ‘guard’,” he said.
Mr. Bose’s report also stated that an initial internal investigation found allegations of sexual molestation against him by a former Raj Bhavan employee as part of a “pre-written script.”
“Kolkata Police Commissioner and Indira Mukherjee formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with unusual speed and media briefings continue to create a false impression that the Governor may face criminal proceedings,” the report said.
The report also said that Mr Goyal and Ms Mukherjee were instrumental in promoting another ‘grievance’ from January 2023.
“Kolkata Police reportedly registered a ‘zero FIR’ at the local police station and sent the case to New Delhi. On June 17, 2024, the accused publicly said that he had nothing against the Governor and wanted to withdraw. However, the Kolkata Police don’t allow them to do that,” the official said.
‘His behavior is not according to the rules’
Mr. Bose has written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requesting action against the police, but no action has been taken, nor has there been any communication from his office.
He also mentioned his recent visit to Siliguri to meet victims of Chopra’s violence, questioning the conduct of some officials in the state.
“Their conduct was not in accordance with the rules and protocol manual of All India Services. The State Government has been duly informed. However, in clear violation of protocol, DM Darjeeling and Commissioner of Police Siliguri did not call the Governor. Unfortunately, this is not the only incident. There have been many the same case with these deviations,” he said.
When contacted, Mr. Goyal said he had no information about the actions of the Home Ministry. “I don’t have any information about it. If anything, it should go to the state government,” Goyal said PTI.
Ms. Mukherjee recalled Mr. Goyal’s words, she did not get any details on the matter. Calls to Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty went unanswered.
