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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (PTI data map)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC leader Kunal Ghosh approached the division bench challenging the interim order of a single bench directing Banerjee and three others not to make any defamatory or incorrect remarks against Bose
The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to make a statement against the state's Governor Ananda Bose as long as it is in compliance with the law.
Banerjee and TMC leader Kunal Ghosh approached the division bench challenging an interim order of a judge directing Banerjee and three others not to make any defamatory or incorrect remarks against Bose.
A division bench chaired by Justice IP Mukerji modified the single-judge order and directed Banerjee and Ghosh to be free to make statements about the governor as long as they comply with the law of the land and are not defamatory.
In a defamation suit filed by Bose, Justice Krishna Rao has issued an interim order directing Banerjee, Ghosh and the two newly elected TMC MLAs not to make any defamatory or incorrect statement against the governor, which will apply till August 14.
The division bench, which also included Justice Biswarup Chaudhry, observed that a person's reputation is sacrosanct to him and the law vests him with the power to protect it. On the other hand, freedom of speech and expression is given to every citizen of India and this cannot be restricted.
However, the judge said this freedom was subject to reasonable restrictions.
The court said that every member of the public has the right to know the truth and everyone has the right to tell the truth. However, it should withstand the test of reasonableness.
(This article has not been edited by News18 staff and is published by PTI)
