In a recent unfolding of events, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell Chief, Amit Malviya, has taken legal action against Santanu Sinha, a resident of West Bengal, for allegations of sexual misconduct. The controversy gained public attention after Congress leader and IT Cell Chief, Supriya Shrinate, highlighted these allegations in a press conference.

The legal notice, dated 8th June, was dispatched by Amit Malviya through his attorney, Abhijeet, who practices at the Supreme Court. This notice followed a specific post made by Santanu Sinha on Facebook on 7th June 2024, which Malviya and his legal team have described as "false and defamatory". The allegations laid out in this post were deemed damaging to Malviya's reputation, prompting the swift legal response.

In the legal notice, Amit Malviya's counsel demanded that Santanu Sinha immediately remove the contentious Facebook post and issue an unconditional apology. The legal document expressed concern over the "intention to harm his reputation" evident in the nature of the accusations. The move to address these allegations through legal means underscores the seriousness with which Amit Malviya and his legal team are treating the situation.

The legal notice issued to Santanu Sinha regarding his allegations against Amit Malviya was unambiguous in its wording and the seriousness of its content. It explicitly stated, “That the nature of allegations is extremely offensive in as much as they falsely allege sexual misconduct purportedly committed by my client. The same is fatally injurious to the dignity and reputation of my client who, by his professional profile, is a public figure. Such malevolently malicious statements have been deliberately made to tarnish his reputation.” This assertion made it clear that the accusations were not only seen as harmful but were also regarded as a targeted attempt to degrade Malviya's public standing.

In response to the allegations, the notice stipulated a deadline for Santanu to retract the post and apologize, giving him a three-day window to comply. However, the situation escalated when Congress leader Supriya Shrinate publicly addressed the allegations before the expiry of the notice period, bringing additional attention and urgency to the issue. This development was soon followed by a statement from Amit Malviya reported by news agency ANI, which quoted him saying, “Since the Congress and earlier TMC in West Bengal held a press conference on the slanderous post. The three-day notice ends tomorrow, 11th June. Appropriate action will follow.”

Supriya Srinate Levels Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Malviya

During a press conference held on 10th June, Congress's IT Cell Chief, Supriya Srinate, brought forth allegations of sexual harassment against BJP’s Amit Malviya, which she attributed to a social media post by Santanu Sinha, allegedly linked to RSS and BJP leader Rahul Sinha. This accusation has stirred considerable controversy, particularly given the political affiliations and the sensitivity of the claims involved.

In her detailed statement, Srinate conveyed a serious charge against Malviya. She stated, “An RSS member Shantanu Sinha, related to BJP leader Rahul Sinha has said that the BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya is indulged in nefarious activities. He is indulged in the sexual exploitation of women. Not just in 5-star hotels but in BJP offices in West Bengal. The only thing that we seek from the BJP is, justice for women… The reality is less than 24 hours after PM Modi was sworn in, serious charges of sexual exploitation have been leveled against a very prominent office bearer of the BJP, the head of its IT cell…Today we seek the immediate removal of Amit Malviya from his position. It’s an extremely influential position. It’s a position of power and there can be no independent inquiry. There can be no independent probe. There cannot be justice unless and until he doesn’t get removed from his position…” This assertive demand for justice highlights the gravity of the allegations and calls into question the mechanisms in place for addressing such serious claims within major political parties.

Santanu Sinha’s Allegations Against Amit Malviya Remain Firm

Despite receiving a legal notice demanding the removal of his controversial Facebook post, Santanu Sinha has yet to comply, leaving the allegations publicly accessible. In his post, which is written in Bengali and has been translated to English, Sinha makes severe accusations against Amit Malviya and the senior leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The allegations pertain to the exchange of sexual favors for political positions within the party, particularly in West Bengal.

Source: Facebook

Sinha's post details disturbing practices involving West Bengal BJP leaders, whom he accuses of procuring women to be sent to Malviya and other senior BJP figures in luxurious hotels as a means to secure coveted roles like the president’s post within the party. He provocatively writes, “Is Amit Malviya still waiting in a five-star hotel in Kolkata for the Bengal leadership to provide beautiful women? Has the competition among the Bengal leadership stopped over who can provide the most beautiful women to secure the president’s post? Please, compete in standing by your workers and supporters. Not in providing beautiful women to Amit Malviya or the observers sent from Delhi to secure the president or secretary posts. They, after all, took risks in their lives based on your assurances and your words. Bengal leadership, please don’t sit idle like a mere figurehead.”

Earlier, TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides faced severe allegations of sexual exploitation in Sandeshkhali. They were accused of engaging in the long-term exploitation of women in the area. This disturbing revelation illustrates that the issue of misconduct stretches across party lines and is deeply entrenched in the political fabric of the state.