Central Govt Initiates Action Against Top Cops For ‘Maligning’ West Bengal Governor

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has initiated disciplinary action against Kolkata’s Commissioner of Police (CP) Vineet Goyal and a Deputy Commissioner (DCP) for allegedly maligning the office of West Bengal Governor by promoting and spreading canards, PTI reported.

The Central government’s action follows a report submitted by Governor CV Ananda Bose in which he has alleged that CP Goyal and DCP (Central) Indira Mukherjee were “functioning in a manner which is completely unbecoming of a public servant.”

The Governor’s report, submitted to the Home Minister in late June, pointed out that Kolkata Police officers prevented victims of post-poll violence from meeting the Governor despite his permission.

In his report, the Governor also accused other police officers, posted at Kolkata Raj Bhavan, of promoting and encouraging concocted allegations by a female employee during April-May.

“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,” Bose added.

He further mentioned Kolkata Police’s alleged new practice of issuing identity cards to Raj Bhavan staff and frisking them during entry and exit, despite objections from the Governor’s office.

Bose’s detailed report stated that a preliminary internal inquiry found allegations of sexual molestation against him by a former Raj Bhavan employee to be part of a ‘pre-written script.’

“Kolkata Police Commissioner and Indira Mukherjee formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with unusual speed and continued media briefings to create a false impression that the Governor could face criminal proceedings,” the report said, adding that Goyal and Mukherjee were instrumental in promoting another ‘complaint’ of January 2023.

Bose had written to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee requesting action against Goyal and Mukherjee, but no steps were taken, nor was there any communication from her office.