Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee has landed in fresh legal trouble after an FIR was filed against her over remarks made during a public rally in Kolkata, where she referred to a murder case in Bangladesh and claimed that the Union Home Minister had once asked her not to disclose certain information related to the matter.
The complaint was lodged at the Siliguri Cyber Crime Police Station by advocate Rinki Singh Chattopadhyay, who alleged that Banerjee's comments were provocative, could harm national interests and had the potential to create diplomatic and security-related complications.
The controversy stems from a speech delivered by Banerjee on June 2 at Rani Rashmoni Road.
During her address, she referred to the arrest of an accused linked to a murder case in Bangladesh and claimed that the individual had entered West Bengal through Meghalaya before being apprehended by the state's Special Task Force (STF).
Banerjee further alleged that she was aware of sensitive details surrounding the case and said she had not spoken about them earlier because the matter concerned national interests.
According to those present at the rally, Banerjee claimed that the Home Minister had personally requested her not to allow details of the matter to become public.
She also suggested that she knew who was behind the killing and hinted at having access to information that had not been disclosed publicly.
The remarks triggered immediate backlash, with the complainant alleging that such statements could be interpreted as revealing confidential information, damaging India's image internationally and fuelling tensions involving neighbouring Bangladesh.
In her complaint, Chattopadhyay argued that Banerjee's statements could affect India's diplomatic standing and create misunderstandings regarding the role of Indian authorities in matters involving another country.
She also alleged that the remarks could provoke unrest and have implications for public order.
The FIR reportedly invokes the following sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
- Section 152: Acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
- Section 153: Provocation with intent to cause riots and promote enmity among communities.
- Section 153A: Promoting hostility, hatred or violence between groups based on religion, race, language or place of birth.
- Sections 191 and 192: Alleged attempts to incite disturbances or unrest.
- Section 196: Promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion, caste, language or region and disturbing public harmony.
- Section 351: Criminal intimidation or attempts to compel a person through fear.
- Section 352: Intentional acts aimed at disturbing public peace.
The complainant has further alleged that Banerjee's comments may encourage hostility and create confusion regarding sensitive national security matters.
Questions have also been raised by critics over whether a former constitutional authority should publicly discuss information that was allegedly shared in confidence while holding office.
This is the second FIR registered against Mamata Banerjee within a span of days. Earlier, on May 26, an FIR was lodged against the TMC chief over alleged remarks on Sanatan Dharma made during an Eid celebration in Kolkata last year.
With the latest complaint linked to her comments on a Bangladesh murder case and an alleged conversation with the Home Minister, Banerjee now faces two separate FIRs amid escalating political and legal scrutiny.