High Court Modifies Ban on Statements Against Bengal Governor

The Calcutta High Court has modified a previous order that barred West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her colleagues from making statements against the state Governor, CV Ananda Bose. The court ruled that they can speak on the matter as long as their statements conform to the law and are not defamatory.

The Calcutta High Court has revised its earlier interim order, allowing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to make statements about state Governor CV Ananda Bose, provided they are lawful and non-defamatory.

Chief Minister Banerjee and TMC leader Kunal Ghosh had contested an earlier directive from a single bench that restrained them and three others from making potentially defamatory statements against Governor Bose.

A division bench headed by Justice I P Mukerji clarified that freedom of speech is a constitutional right but must adhere to legal boundaries. Justice Biswaroop Chowdhury added that while people's right to know is fundamental, it must meet the criteria of justification and non-defamation.