CPM leader Tanmoy Bhattacharya, a former MLA, has been accused of outraging the modesty of a woman.

The CPM has suspended him. Bhattacharya, who was the CPM candidate from Baranagar in an Assemby bypoll this year, has denied the allegation.

A woman complained with Baranagar police station on Sunday, alleging that the leader had sat on her lap when she met him for professional work.

The woman alleged that this was not the first time Bhattacharya had tried to make advances towards her. But she had not complained before because she thought it was a prank, the woman said on social media.

“I was shocked to see her live Facebook post.... If I had outraged her modesty, she could have directly gone to Baranagar police station, a stone’s throw from my home,” said Bhattacharya.

Bhattacharya suggested that the complainant had gone to a few other places
before visiting the police station.

“Her live (Facebook) post, followed by Kunal Ghosh’s repost within 20 minutes and, finally, Debangshu Bhattacharya’s post, raised many questions. I can’t imagine people could stoop so low for political gain,” he said. Ghosh and Debangshu Bhattacharya are Trinamool leaders.

A few hours later, the CPM issued a statement saying Bhattacharya has been suspended from the party.

“Tanmoy Bhattacharya has been suspended based on the allegations of the woman. The complaint has been forwarded to the internal complaints committee. Based on the findings and recommendations of the ICC, the next steps would be decided,” the statement read.

An FIR has been drawn against the leader. Barrackpore police commissioner Alok Rajoria said a case of outrage of modesty has been filed against Bhattacharya.