Legal Action Against Mamata Banerjee for Alleged Incitement and Defamation

A legal complaint has been filed against former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of making inflammatory statements against constitutional institutions and inciting communal discord. The attorney, Rinki Chatterjee Singh, claims that Banerjee's remarks have undermined public trust in these institutions and hurt the sentiments of Sanatan Dharma followers. The complaint details various allegations, including sedition and criminal incitement, and highlights the potential legal repercussions of her statements. This situation raises significant questions about the intersection of politics and communal harmony in West Bengal.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 4, 2026, 15:10 IST

Complaint Filed Against Former Chief Minister

On June 4, attorney Rinki Chatterjee Singh lodged a complaint at the Siliguri Cyber Police Station against Mamata Banerjee, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal. The complaint alleges that Banerjee made inflammatory and defamatory remarks targeting constitutional institutions and security agencies. It states that in her recent public speeches, political engagements, and media interactions, she purportedly issued several provocative statements against India's constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission and the central armed forces deployed to maintain law and order during elections. The complaint claims that Banerjee publicly questioned the integrity, impartiality, and reliability of these institutions, allegedly attempting to sow distrust and discontent among the public against the state machinery.

Details of the Allegations

Discussing the matter, Rinki Chatterjee Singh stated that her complaint against Banerjee is serious. She noted that it would take 23 days to formally convert this complaint into a First Information Report (FIR). Singh highlighted that during a public meeting on the 2nd of the month, Banerjee began targeting the Election Commission, later shifting her focus to criticize the central forces. Singh also mentioned Banerjee's sudden claim regarding the political assassination of Bangladeshi activist Sharif Usman bin Hadi, asserting that the incident did not occur in Bangladesh but in Manipur, where the STF had arrested him. Singh emphasized that Banerjee was fully aware of the facts and had even received a phone call related to the case at that time, yet she failed to disclose the complete information.

Legal Implications of the Statements

Singh asserted that the entire situation, including all of Banerjee's actions, falls under the scope of crimes against the state as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This includes charges of sedition, criminal incitement, and breach of official secrecy, all of which are punishable offenses. A week prior, an FIR was filed against Banerjee for allegedly making derogatory comments about Sanatan Dharma during an Eid celebration in Kolkata.

Impact on Religious Sentiments

The FIR filed by attorney Singh claims that Banerjee's remarks hurt the sentiments of followers of Sanatan Dharma and disrupted communal harmony. According to the complaint, Banerjee referred to Sanatan Dharma as a 'dirty religion,' deeply offending the religious feelings and beliefs of millions. Furthermore, it states that during the campaign for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Banerjee made an incendiary statement warning that if a particular community attacked Hindus, they would face severe consequences.