Kolkata: Police have registered an FIR against ex-CM and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee over comments she made during a speech at Y Channel on March 9 on the basis of a complaint alleging the speech intended to “provoke breach of peace and affect public tranquility, communal harmony and democratic structure of the state.“The complainant, Tushar Kanti Das (45), filed a zero FIR against Banerjee at Netaji Nagar PS on June 5 alleging that Banerjee, then CM, had delivered a misleading speech implying that a specific community could suffer if voting trends shifted leading to a sense of insecurity among citizens. Das further alleged that episodes of communal violence in parts of Kolkata and Bengal may be linked to Banerjee’s speech.The complaint was transferred to Hare Street PS on June 7, because the speech was made in an area under its jurisdiction. The FIR was registered under BNS sections 196 (1), 351 (2) and 352.This is the third complaint against Banerjee since her party was removed from office following the assembly election results on May 4.A Siliguri-based lawyer filed a complaint against Banerjee on June 5 over remarks the former CM had made pertaining to the arrest of the alleged killers of Bangladeshi activist Sharif Osman bin Hadi.Rinku Singh Chatterjee, the lawyer, alleged that Banerjee’s comments had triggered tensions between India and Bangladesh and damaged India’s image at a global level.The complainant further alleged that her statements had the potential to provoke hostility and unrest in Bangladesh and endanger the lives of Hindus in the country. A third complaint was lodged against Banerjee and others over alleged misuse of annual Eid congregation on Red Road for political purposes and violation of Islamic principles.
