Mamata's minister ridiculed country's law and court

Calcutta HC issues contempt notice against TMC Minister

By FnF Correspondent

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of the remarks made by the Trinamool Congress Minister Becharam Manna at Singur on December 2 and issued a contempt rule against him.

The Court directed Mr. Manna to be present before the Court on December 18 and defend the remarks made by him at a public rally at Singur in the State’s Hooghly district on December 2.

Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, senior advocate of the Court who pleaded on the behalf of lawyers who brought the matter to the notice of Court said that Mr. Manna’s comments “directly interfered with administration of justice and were an attempt to scandalise the image of the judiciary.”

He presented before the Court the newspaper reports referring to Mr. Manna’s remarks of the rally held at Singur. The Court also directed the newspapers that carried the story and television channels that telecasted the programme to file affidavit before the Court and submit materials collected by their journalist.

Mr. Manna remarks which went on record sparked widespread criticism, even as his senior ministerial colleague Partha Chatterjee tried to do some damage-control on Monday.

The Court has earlier admitted a petition where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had made objectionable comments about the Judiciary. The matter is pending before the High Court.

Freedom of media is threatened by Mamata

Mamata Banerjee warns media, don't cross 'Lakshmana Rekha'

By FnF Correspondent

Kolkata: Accusing a section of the media of interfering in the work of police by "cooking up stories", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday warned it not to cross the "Lakshmana Rekha".

"The Kolkata Police have been doing a good job and should be appreciated. But they (media) don't have any work other than maligning the police," said Banerjee at a city police programme here.

Banerjee, who has been virtually at war with a section of the media, said even trivial matters concerning police were being highlighted as major issues, which eventually was hampering the force's image.

"Even if a constable is transferred they would cook up some story about why he was transferred. You (the media) also have a management in your office. And the management decides who should work where. They transfer people accordingly. Similarly, the police too have an administration which decides what is to be done," she said.

Banerjee went on to warn that if the media continued to cross the "Lakshmana Rekha", then it would be at the mercy of "Raavan".

"You cannot interfere in all business. You just cannot do it. Every thing has a Lakshmana Rekha, which you cannot cross. Don't forget when you cross the Lakshmana Rekha, then you are at the mercy of Raavan. Kindly don't do that," warned Banerjee.

According to the Ramayana, Rama's brother Lakshmana had drawn a line (Lakshmana Rekha) to protect Sita - Rama's wife. But Sita did not pay heed to Lakshmana's warning not to cross the line and was eventually abducted by demon king Raavan when she crossed the line.