CPI-M Leader from Bengal Faces Renewed Suspension Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
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Kolkata, Dec 20 (NationPress) Just six days after the suspension of veteran leader and former party legislator Tanmoy Bhattacharya was revoked, following allegations of sexual harassment against a woman journalist, the CPI-M's West Bengal state Committee has opted to suspend him once more, this time for a duration of six months.
According to the party's protocol, this decision will be communicated to the party’s Central Committee, which will ultimately decide the matter in a meeting scheduled in Kolkata next month.
On December 14, the revocation of Bhattacharya’s suspension was announced via a WhatsApp message circulated by the CPI-M’s North 24 Parganas district Secretary, indicating that Bhattacharya was allowed to resume his organizational duties within the party.
However, just six days later, the news of his renewed suspension came to light.
Insiders within the party suggested that the initial decision to lift Bhattacharya’s suspension followed the conclusion of an investigation by the party’s internal complaints committee into the allegations.
Nevertheless, sources indicated that after a thorough review of the committee's report, particularly some observations and recommendations made, the party's state Committee has decided to reinstate his suspension.
Currently, Bhattacharya's only recourse lies in the hope that the party’s Central Committee may overturn the state committee's decision. However, insiders have noted that it is uncommon for the Central Committee to oppose the state Committee's decisions, especially in cases concerning sexual harassment.
In October, a female reporter associated with an independent YouTube channel accused Bhattacharya of engaging in sexually inappropriate conduct when she visited his residence for an interview. Following this, the state Committee of the CPI-M suspended him on the same day and initiated an internal investigation.
Subsequently, based on the FIR filed by the reporter at Baranagar Police Station, Bhattacharya was summoned by police multiple times for questioning, though no coercive measures were taken against him.
On December 17, the Calcutta High Court granted him anticipatory bail, subject to specific conditions.
Battacharya has persistently denied the allegations of sexual harassment, asserting that the accusations are a well-orchestrated scheme to tarnish his reputation.
"I am a communist and will remain one until my last breath. If I am proven innocent, I will continue as a CPI-M activist. If my party finds me guilty and expels me, I will still identify as a communist till my last day. Even if I cannot serve as a CPI-M activist, I will continue to embrace communism," Bhattacharya stated previously.
