July 17, 2024 7:46 AM.
The Calcutta High Court has issued a temporary restraining order against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other TMC leaders, preventing them from making “any defamatory or incorrect statement” against Governor CV Ananda Bose on social media platforms.
In its ruling, a single-judge bench led by Justice Krishna Rao issued an interim order in the defamation suit filed by the West Bengal Governor, restraining Mamata and other Trinamool Congress leaders from making any defamatory statements on social media till August 14.
The high court emphasised that Governor Bose holds a constitutional authority position and cannot be subjected to personal attacks. The court observed that the right to freedom of speech and expression is not unrestricted in the guise of which defamatory statements can be made to tarnish the reputation of a person.
Governor Bose had approached the High Court following CM Banerjee’s remark alleging that women no longer felt safe entering the Raj Bhavan in West Bengal after allegations of molestation were made against Governor Bose.
In its interim order, the High Court observed that Governor Bose is a “constitutional authority” and noted that he cannot counter personal attacks made by Banerjee and other TMC leaders using social media platforms.
“This Court is of the view that in appropriate cases where the Court believes that statements have been made recklessly to injure the reputation of the plaintiff, an injunction is justified,” Justice Rao stated. “If an interim order is not granted at this stage, the defendants would be free to continue making defamatory statements against the plaintiff, causing further harm to his reputation.”