West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Thursday said that he was apprehending a threat to his security because of the presence of the current contingent of Kolkata Police posted at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata. Bose accused the police of unauthorised surveillance on his movements and staff, allegedly with political backing and motives, which he deemed a violation of constitutional rights.
His statement came days after he ordered the police personnel to vacate the Raj Bhavan premises. They, however, are still on duty in the Governor House.
While a senior Raj Bhavan official said a letter had been sent to the State Government, Kolkata Police sources said no communication had been received from Raj Bhavan on the matter.
“I have reasons to believe that the presence of the current officer-in-charge and his team is a threat to my personal security,” Governor Bose said today.
“I have informed Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee that I am insecure with Kolkata Police in Raj Bhavan, but there was no action,” he said. Sources in the Governor House said Bose has complained to the State Government that there has been constant snooping by the police personnel posted in Raj Bhavan and he could sense that they were doing it on the insistence of “influencers” from outside.
Referring to previous restrictions imposed by his predecessor and himself on Kolkata Police’s access to specific areas of Raj Bhavan, Bose highlighted incidents of unauthorised surveillance by police personnel, calling it potentially criminal behaviour.
Drawing parallels with historical accountability in public office, Bose emphasised that if proven, such activities by the police would require accountability from the Home Minister of the State, who incidentally is the Chief Minister herself.
At a press meet on Friday, Bose had expressed his displeasure at victims of poll violence being denied entry to Raj Bhavan despite being granted requisite permission. He had sought a reply from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that Kolkata Police had tried to prevent him from carrying out his duty as Governor.
On Monday morning, Raj Bhavan officials requested closure of the police outpost at the North Gate, but police officers on duty there said they could not leave without a directive from Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters.
Additionally, Bose wanted to set up a Jana Manch near the gate, but the police team refused, citing that Raj Bhavan was in a high-security zone with prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC permanently imposed around it.
Sources said the Governor wanted the team of more than 100 Kolkata Police personnel to be removed, suspecting that they were keeping tabs on him. Bose already receives Z-category security from the CRPF while Kolkata Police personnel are posted only in the outer ring.
A senior State Government official said since Raj Bhavan was a State-owned heritage property maintained by the Public Works Department, it was the duty of Kolkata Police to guard the area, which it had been doing since 1866. Additionally, several Cabinet Ministers reside on the campus. The Governor, therefore, could not give police marching orders at his “own whim and fancies”, the official said. He said that, if needed, the State Government may seek legal opinion on the matter.
