CPIM Leader Tanmoy Bhattacharya Summoned by Police in Harassment Allegations, Vows Cooperation
The CPIM leader and former MLA Tanmoy Bhattacharya has been summoned by the Baranagar Police following allegations of misconduct made by a female journalist. Recently suspended by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bhattacharya was called in for questioning on Monday, following a previous police inquiry on Sunday. He responded by saying, “I was asked to come to the police station at 1:30 PM, and I am going immediately.” Sources close to Bhattacharya have indicated that he has already sought legal counsel regarding the matter.
The issue erupted on social media when, during a Facebook Live session on Sunday afternoon, the journalist accused Bhattacharya of inappropriate behavior, claiming that he had behaved improperly while she was interviewing him earlier in the day. The live broadcast quickly went viral, leading to a heated discussion and response within CPIM circles. Addressing Anandabazar Online, Bhattacharya acknowledged the incident but dismissed it as a misunderstanding, stating, “I’m naturally friendly with everyone. This journalist has interviewed me at least ten times before, and we’ve joked around in the past. I don’t know what went wrong this time.”
Bhattacharya also subtly hinted at a potential conspiracy behind the allegations. He questioned why, despite the proximity of the police station to his residence, the journalist chose to go live on social media rather than directly filing a complaint. However, after the video went viral, the journalist did file an official complaint at the Baranagar Police Station, leading to an FIR being registered and an investigation launched, according to police sources.
Following the viral nature of the incident, CPIM swiftly suspended Bhattacharya. In a press briefing on Sunday evening, CPM’s state secretary Mohammed Salim stated, “We have an internal complaints committee with its own procedures, but investigations take time. Meanwhile, we are suspending Bhattacharya. The duration will depend on the internal investigation’s findings. Once the committee provides its recommendation, we will act accordingly.”
In a subsequent post on social media, the journalist raised concerns regarding CPIM’s internal inquiry process, questioning whether a political party is equipped to handle such allegations impartially. She added, “No political party should have the authority to pass judgment in such cases. If that were the solution, there would be no need for our legal system.” She reiterated that her complaint has been officially filed with the police and expressed hope for a fair investigation, urging that the matter be viewed as a societal concern rather than a political issue.
The incident has led to discussions within CPIM circles on transparency and fair process regarding party members facing allegations. For now, the outcome rests on the police investigation and the findings of the party’s internal committee.