The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Birbhum district to virtually appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on July 14 in connection with an investigation into alleged derogatory remarks made by Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal during a telephonic conversation with a police officer.
Justice Tirthankar Ghosh passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the SP challenging the NCW’s summons. The court also instructed that all relevant documents requested by the NCW be sent electronically and allowed the commission to later schedule a date for a designated officer from the SP’s office to appear and respond to further queries.
The NCW had summoned the SP over concerns related to the alleged offensive language used by Mondal, which was captured in a phone call with the officer in charge of Bolpur police station. An FIR has been registered against Mondal under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Deputy Solicitor General Rajdeep Majumdar, appearing for the NCW, submitted that the commission is empowered by law to conduct such investigations. The High Court noted that if the investigating authorities have reservations about sharing certain information, they may raise their concerns before the court in subsequent proceedings.
The NCW had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the action taken report submitted by the SP regarding the incident.
Justice Ghosh scheduled the next hearing of the matter for August 8. The NCW has been asked to file an affidavit in opposition by July 25, with the petitioner SP allowed to respond by August 1.
