Harassment case filed against Bengal CPM leader Tanmoy Bhattacharya for misbehaving with a woman journalist

An FIR has been registered in West Bengal’s capital Kolkata against Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former MLA Tanmoy Bhattacharya following allegations of harassment by a young woman journalist, officials said on Sunday.

The journalist took to Facebook to accuse Bhattacharya, a former Dumdum North MLA, of making inappropriate gestures towards her. She alleged that the CPI(M) leader held her hand or touched her in inappropriate ways while interviewing her at her home.

During an interview on Sunday, the journalist shared an incident where Bhattacharya unexpectedly sat on her lap while guiding her to the designated seat. He said the incident “deeply disturbed” him.

He later went live on social media to share his experience, calling Bhattacharya a ‘potential rapist’ and questioning whether CPI(M) leaders would address the situation or remain silent.

The claim was denied by Bhattacharya, who claimed that he had come to interview him several times before.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) suspended Bhattacharya and launched an internal inquiry into the matter. The CPI(M) state committee said in a press release that the party takes such allegations seriously.

The statement said, “The complaint of the female journalist was sent to the party’s internal complaint committee. The next steps will be taken in line with the recommendations of this commission.”

CPI(M) general secretary Mohd Salim said a news portal journalist was disturbed by Bhattacharya’s alleged behavior and lodged a complaint with the party.

“The allegation is very serious and the party does not support such action,” he said, adding that he could not understand why Bhattacharya was being interviewed at his home.

(With inputs from PTI.)