Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh appeared at Barasat Police Station on Thursday in connection with a complaint filed against him by Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar over alleged social-media harassment. Ghosh, who had been summoned by the police to record his statement, said the allegations against him were baseless and questioned the grounds on which he had been called for questioning.
Ghosh arrived at the police station carrying a set of documents and later spoke to reporters outside. He argued that he should not be held responsible for comments posted by other people on social media and alleged that police time was being spent on what he described as an unnecessary complaint.
Kunal attacks Kakoli over Narada controversy
After emerging from the police station, Ghosh stepped up his attack on Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, referring to the Narada sting case and saying he would write to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking action on issues surrounding her alleged role in the case.
Ghosh asked why Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar remained outside jail despite the allegations surrounding the Narada sting operation. His remarks were made as a political allegation rather than a finding by the court. The Narada investigation was transferred to the CBI following a 2017 Calcutta High Court order, with Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar among the Trinamool leaders whose names were associated with the sting operation.
What is the case against Kunal Ghosh?
The dispute began after Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar complained of alleged abusive and derogatory posts targeting her and her family on social media. Her complaint led to action by Barasat Police, and Ghosh was subsequently summoned for questioning.
According to reports, the complaint was connected to social-media activity following the 2026 Assembly elections and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar's subsequent political move. Reports said her son, Baidyanath Ghosh Dastidar, also lodged a complaint alleging that the family had been subjected to repeated derogatory comments online.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar had earlier said she had raised the issue of alleged online harassment with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. When asked about the police proceedings, she said she would not comment on a matter that was sub judice.
Ghosh questions basis of police questioning
Ghosh said investigators showed him one of his social-media posts during questioning. He argued that the post did not identify any individual by name and questioned how it could form the basis of a defamation or harassment complaint.
He also said he had brought dictionaries and reference material to demonstrate that the words used in his posts were not unparliamentary or inherently abusive. Ghosh described himself as a journalist and writer and said some of his social-media posts were written in a deliberately indirect or satirical style.
The police have been investigating the complaint and have called Ghosh to provide his statement.
Political tensions add to social-media dispute
The police complaint comes amid a wider political dispute involving Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and leaders of the Trinamool Congress. Recent reports have described sharp exchanges on social media between Ghosh and leaders who have moved away from the Trinamool camp.
Ghosh, meanwhile, said he would continue to raise questions about the political issues involved and indicated that he plans to approach the CBI regarding the Narada matter. Any allegations concerning individual wrongdoing remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
