Mumbai: Prosecution today claimed that no sanction is needed to prosecute West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly disrespecting the national anthem as the incident took place during a ‘political’ visit and not an official one. Was. A special court for cases against MPs and MLAs in Mumbai was hearing a review petition filed by Mamata Banerjee against summons issued by a local magistrate’s court in connection with the case.
Mumbai BJP functionary Vivekanand Gupta had last year filed a complaint before a magistrate’s court alleging that Mamata Banerjee did not stand up when the national anthem was being played at an event during her visit to Mumbai in December 2021 .
He demanded that a First Information Report be registered against him under the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act.
The Trinamool Congress leader filed a review petition before the special court against the summons issued by the magistrate, arguing that the mandatory sanction for prosecuting the public servant in the matter had not been obtained.
Representing the state government, Additional Public Prosecutor Sumesh Panjwani argued on Tuesday that Mamata Banerjee was not going to Mumbai in her official capacity.
“The visit had a political agenda,” he said, so no clearance was required. Special Judge RN Rokade said he would pass orders on Mamata Banerjee’s plea on January 12.