Governor's immunity comes under SC lens

In backdrop of Bengal Raj Bhavan molestation case

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine the contours of Article 361 of the Constitution which grants 'blanket immunity' to Governors from any kind of criminal prosecution.

The top court's order came on a plea of a contractual woman employee of the 'Raj Bhavan' in West Bengal who has alleged molestation by Governor C V Ananda Bose and her wrongful confinement by the officials there.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also issued a notice to the West Bengal government on the plea of the woman and granted her liberty to also make the central government a party.

It also sought the assistance of Attorney General R Venkataramani in dealing with the constitutional issue.

At the outset, senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the woman whose name has been redacted from the judicial records, said, "It cannot be that there is no investigation. Evidence has to be gathered right now. It cannot be deferred indefinitely till the Governor demits office."