The Union Home Ministry has directed the West Bengal government to reinvestigate a 2017 sexual misconduct case involving the state’s Leader of the Opposition, Ritabrata Banerjee. This directive follows a formal request by TMC legislator Kunal Ghosh to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, signaling a new phase of political friction in the state.
The Union Home Ministry has issued a directive to the West Bengal government, asking it to review and reopen a criminal investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against the Leader of the Opposition, Ritabrata Banerjee. This federal intervention follows a formal appeal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah from Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Kunal Ghosh, who sought a fresh probe into a 2017 complaint.
The case dates back to an allegation from 2017, where a woman accused the politician of sexual exploitation on the promise of marriage. While the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had initially examined the matter, the proceedings effectively paused in recent years. The central government’s directive now mandates that the state’s Chief Secretary conduct a formal review of the allegations and submit a report.
Ritabrata Banerjee currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, a position that puts him at the center of the state's political discourse. The push to revive this investigation comes amidst a period of high political volatility, highlighting the ongoing tension between the state leadership and central authorities.
Kunal Ghosh has publicly stated that he expects the state authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the matter, warning that any attempt to suppress evidence would be met with further legal challenges. For the state administration, the challenge lies in balancing this federal mandate against its own administrative authority.
As the situation unfolds, observers are monitoring whether the West Bengal government will comply with the Ministry's directive or contest the request. This legal and political development is expected to remain a significant point of contention in the state's political landscape, with the focus now on the Chief Secretary's upcoming response and the potential for new investigative steps.