CPM suspends ex-MLA Tanmay Bhattacharya over ‘sexual harassment’ allegations by female journalist

Kolkata : Former CPM MLA Tanmay Bhattacharya in West Bengal has been suspended from the party membership. A female journalist alleged that when she reached Tanmay Bhattacharya's residence for an interview, Bhattacharya touched her inappropriately and sat on her lap. The police have also registered an FIR against Bhattacharya in this case.The FIR is filed at Baranagar Police Station under which Bhattacharya’s residence comes.

The CPM state committee said that the party takes such allegations very seriously. These allegations have affected the party's image among the people. However, Bhattacharya had rejected the allegations leveled against him. He claimed that the said woman journalist had come to his residence several times before to interview him.

A journalist accused CPM leader Tanmay Bhattacharya of harassment during an interview, alleging he sat on her lap. CPM's Mohammad Selim condemned the act, announced Tanmay’s suspension, and affirmed an Internal Complaint Committee review. What next?#CPM #Harassment #Journalism pic.twitter.com/fnFA4FrXhl

— Maryam Faruque (@MaryamFaruque) October 27, 2024

CPM state secretary Mohammad Salim said that the party will conduct an internal inquiry into the allegations against Tanmay Bhattacharya. Tanmay Bhattacharya will remain suspended till the investigation is done. Salim said that action will be taken as per the proposal given by the inquiry committee.

Tanmay Bhattacharya has been a CPM MLA from Dumdum North Assembly constituency. He was the party's candidate from Baranagar Assembly constituency in the 2024 by-election. However, he had to face defeat in this election.