Mumbai: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had been summoned by the Mazgaon Metropolitan court in Mumbai, to appear before it on March 2. A case has been registered against the TMC chief for allegedly disrespecting the National Anthem during her visit to the city in December 2021. Mumbai BJP unit functionary Vivekanand Gupta had filed a complaint against the WB CM claiming she left the dais midway.
Issuing the summon the court said that it is evident from the complaint, verification statement of the complainant, video clip in the DVD and video clips on YouTube links that the accused sang the national anthem and stopped abruptly and left the dais. This prima facie proves that the accused has committed an offence punishable under Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
On summoning a CM, the court said, “Though the accused is the chief minister of West Bengal, she was not discharging her official duties (during the event in Mumbai). Thereby, this act of the accused, though she is the chief minister of West Bengal, does not come under her official duty. Therefore, a sanction is not required and there is no bar to proceed against the accused.”
Earlier today, Banerjee gained an unopposed victory and was re-elected as the TMC Chairperson on Wednesday. She urged the party leaders to put a united fight against the BJP and warned against infighting.