The CPI(M) announced the suspension of former MLA Tanmoy Bhattacharya on Sunday (October 27) following allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a woman journalist.

The journalist has filed a police complaint at Baranagar Police Station, accusing Bhattacharya of “sexual advancement and outrage of modesty.”

The journalist, who shared her account through a Facebook Live session, stated she had visited Bhattacharya’s residence in Baranagar for an interview when he allegedly made inappropriate advances, reported The Indian Express.

“I’ve never faced such an incident in four years of my career,” she said.

Bhattacharya, a former representative of the Dum Dum Uttar constituency, denied the accusations. Expressing his surprise, Bhattacharya said, “I am stunned.”

He claimed she had previously visited him for interviews and expressed disbelief at the allegations.

“I was shocked to see her live Facebook post.... If I had outraged her modesty, she could have directly gone to Baranagar police station, a stone’s throw from my home,” said Bhattacharya, reported The Telegraph.

After the Facebook Live video gained widespread attention, CPI(M) state secretary Md. Salim announced Bhattacharya’s suspension, pending an investigation by the party’s internal disciplinary committee.
 
The CPI(M) state committee released a statement emphasizing that the party takes such allegations very seriously. They acknowledged that the incident has impacted the party’s image, necessitating Bhattacharya’s suspension.

“On Sunday we came to know that a lady journalist … felt offended with Tanmay’s behaviour…We have an internal complaint committee, they have a procedure… what Tanmay did, party can’t support such behaviour…,” The Indian Express quoted Md Salim as saying.