The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the contours of Article 361 of the Constitution, which provides immunity to the President and state Governors from any kind of criminal prosecution. This decision comes in response to a plea filed by a contractual woman staff member of the Raj Bhawan in Kolkata, who has alleged molestation by the state Governor, CV Ananda Bose.

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The woman employee has sought judicial scrutiny of Article 361, arguing that it is an exception to the fundamental right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the West Bengal government regarding this plea and has also sought the assistance of the Attorney General, R Venkataramani, in dealing with this issue.

The top court has also directed the woman employee to make the Central government a party to her plea, as Article 361 is a constitutional provision that applies to both the President and state Governors.

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In early July, a woman staff member of the Raj Bhawan approached the Supreme Court, challenging the "blanket immunity" granted to Governors under Article 361 of the Constitution. Earlier, the petitioner has also demanded an investigation by the West Bengal police, protection for herself and her family, and government compensation for her reputation loss. She had filed a complaint with Kolkata Police, alleging molestation by Bose at the governor's residence on April 24 and May 2.

(With Agencies Inputs)