Bengali Actress Moves HC, Seeks Protection from Harassment After Criticising Govt

Kolkata — Popular Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra on Wednesday filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from harassment, claiming she has faced threats and social boycott for speaking out against the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

Her criticism has been particularly sharp on the rape and murder of a woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital. The court has permitted her to submit the petition, which is expected to be taken up for hearing next week.

Mitra actively participated in a protest rally on August 9, marking the first anniversary of the tragedy, where she questioned why justice had still not been delivered to the victim and her family. Since then, she said, she has faced online abuse, threats, and social targeting. Posters and banners with derogatory slogans against her were allegedly pasted outside her home in Behala, southern Kolkata.

Although she lodged an email complaint with Haridevpur Police Station, she said no action was taken, forcing her to approach the High Court.

Instances of backlash against those raising their voice on the R.G. Kar case are not new. Several doctors who led protests last year reportedly faced punitive transfers to remote areas, while some were subjected to questionable disciplinary actions.

With inputs from IANS