Uncertainty looms over Swapna Barman’s candidacy for the Rajganj Assembly constituency in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district due to complications related to a pending disciplinary case against her. Initially directed by the court to admit misconduct and submit a letter to the Railways, Swapna instead submitted a resignation letter, adding a new layer of complexity.
Swapna, an Asian Games gold-medallist, joined the Trinamool Congress without resigning from her Railways position, leading to a disciplinary inquiry by the Railways on March 9. Despite her resignation submission on March 16, the Railways refused to accept it, prompting Swapna to approach the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court in protest.
During the court hearing, it was revealed that a departmental inquiry was ongoing against Swapna, hindering her from receiving a clearance certificate necessary for contesting elections. The Railways offered to issue the clearance if Swapna admitted her misconduct and waived post-retirement benefits. However, after submitting a letter, Swapna was asked to provide a revised letter explicitly acknowledging her wrongdoing.
Deputy Solicitor General Sudipto Majumdar confirmed that Swapna’s initial letter did not meet court directives, leading to the Justice’s instruction for a fresh letter admitting misconduct. The situation remains unresolved as Swapna, a former Social Welfare Officer in the Railways, navigates the complexities of the disciplinary case.
