The three FIR-named Raj Bhavan staffers whom Kolkata Police had summoned, in connection with the investigation into the complaint of physical harassment lodged by a junior staffer against the governor, “surrendered” in a court in person on Tuesday morning and were granted bail.

The lone Raj Bhavan staffer, a cook, who came forward in support of the complainant, got his statement recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC on Tuesday.

Public prosecutor Soma Biswas said that after the three staffers surrendered in the chief metropolitan magistrate's court, the prosecution submitted a prayer seeking their cooperation in the police investigation. The prayer was allowed, Biswas said.

Following the court order, officer on special duty Sandip Singh Rajput, pantry staffer Kusum Chhetri and chaprasi (peon) Sant Lal went to Hare Street police station later in the day and were questioned by officers of the special enquiry team in connection with the allegations against governor C.V. Ananda Bose.

The junior staff member has alleged that the governor had made advances towards her on April 24 and again on May 2.

Rajput, Chhetri and Lal have been charged with wrongful restraint, based on the complaint lodged by the junior staffer.

According to the complainant, the three had locked her up in the EPABX room on the first floor of Raj Bhavan minutes after she came out of the governor’s room and tried to prevent her from going out and reporting the matter to the police on May 2.

The woman has alleged that Chhetri and Lal, acting on the instructions of Rajput, who was present there, snatched her mobile phone and bag on May 2 to ensure that she could not leave the building.

Police sources said that on being questioned about the alleged incident on May 2, the three told them that they heard the complainant crying and saying that the governor had misbehaved with her.

The sources added they did not respond to the queries whether they had been instructed by anyone to force her into the room.

“They denied the charge of wrongful restraint. They said they only spoke to the woman but did not confine her,” an officer said.

The trio had not turned up before the police on Sunday despite being summoned. Sources at Raj Bhavan said they were following the gag order issued by the governor to the employees after the harassment complaint had been lodged.

“Usually, an accused complies with police summons first and then moves court for bail. In this case, the three took a different route. They took bail from court and then appeared before the police," a senior police officer said.

By obtaining bail first, the trio eliminated the possibility of being arrested, the officer said. They obtained bail by producing personal bonds.

All three refused to speak to reporters waiting outside Hare Street police station, where they spent around seven hours.

The police said Chhetri, Lal and Rajput could be summoned again, if needed.