The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea filed by a woman staff member of the West Bengal Raj Bhawan, who had alleged sexual harassment by Governor CV Ananda Bose, challenging the “blanket immunity” granted to the governor under Article 361 of the Constitution.
Article 361 (2) of the Constitution states that no criminal proceedings can be instituted or continued against the President, or the Governor of a state, in any court during their term of office.
The top court sought Attorney General’s assistance in the matter and also issued notice on the plea filed by the woman staffer.
The women staffer had earlier moved the Supreme Court, seeking a direction from the apex court to the West Bengal police to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment made against the Governor.
In her plea, she had urged the court to frame guidelines and fix qualification to the extent of the immunity enjoyed by the constitutional figure under Article 361 of the Constitution.
The petitioner said that she has been rendered ‘remediless’ due to the constitutional immunity granted to the Governor and added that such powers cannot be so absolute that it enables a Governor to perpetrate illegal acts.
With inputs from agencies
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Sexual harassment case: SC agrees to hear plea challenging immunity to West Bengal Governor
