Home ministry takes action against Bengal's top cop for 'maligning' governor office

NEW DELHI: The home ministry on Sunday launched disciplinary action against Kolkata Police Commissioner and DCP Central for "maligning" the Bengal governor's office.
"The Union home ministry has initiated disciplinary action against IPS officers based on a detailed report submitted by Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose", reported news agency PTI citing an official.
The development comes days after Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose wrote to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), seeking the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and DCP (central) Indira Mukherjee.
The Bengal governor also accused other police officers, posted at the Raj Bhavan, of promoting and encouraging concocted allegations by a woman employee during April-May 2024, the official added.
"These IPS officers through their acts have not only tarnished the office of the Governor but also functioned in a manner which is completely unbecoming of a public servant. They have conveniently chosen to ignore the Conduct Rules," he told PTI.
Mukherjee is heading the special enquiry team probing the molestation charge against Bose by a former Raj Bhavan staffer.
The molestation probe complaint, lodged with Hare Street police station, does not name Bose due to his constitutional immunity. However, the FIR names several Raj Bhavan staffers for criminal conspiracy.
The staffers had moved Calcutta high court to quash the FIR. The matter is sub judice.
The Bengal governor has also filed a defamation suit against chief minister Mamata Banerjee after she said that women were afraid to visit Raj Bhavan due to its recent activities.
Reacting to the home ministry's action, TMC MP from Krishnanagar Mahua Moitra called the step "ridiculous".
"Ridiculous that home ministry initiates disciplinary action against Calcutta CP & DCP for maligning Raj Bhavan! Bengal governor has maligned his own office by molesting women inside premises. Control your Governors since they can’t seem to control themselves. Shame," Mahua wrote in a post on X.

Bose criticised her for the remarks and said that it was expected of public representatives not to create "erroneous and slanderous impressions."
The governor also initiated legal action against certain TMC leaders who made similar remarks, the source added.
CM Mamata Banerjee had alleged that women, who felt unsafe going to Raj Bhavan after reports of certain activities there, complained to her.
"As it is, after what happened in the Raj Bhavan, women are scared to go there. I have received complaints," the chief minister said.
Last month when Bose filed suit against CM Mamata, senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha voiced support for Bose's actions, stating, "governor Bose made the right move, and I stand fully behind him."