Akhil Giri quits as Bengal minister obeying TMC's order over his 'threat to woman officer' row

Giri resigned a day after his party asked him to quit as the minister and apologise to forest ranger Manisha Sahu, whom he had threatened and abused. 

"I have sent the resignation letter to the CMO through the Chief Secretary," Giri told media on Monday.

The Ramnagar MLA had come to Kolkata to personally handover the resignation letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her office Nabanna.

Though Giri resigned following the party's order, he is still adamant in not apologising to the government employee.

"I am ready to apologise to the Chief Minister but not to any government officer," he said. 

In a viral video, Giri- surrounded by locals- was caught calling the officer "discourteous" and "animal" after she and her team tried to clear encroachments on the forest department near Tajpur beach.

Giri was heard telling the officer, "You are a government employee so you should bow your head... You will realise when I will beat you up with sticks... If you do this, your term will be shortened."

Slamming Giri, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Agnimitra Paul posted on X, "MLA Akhil Giri, who previously made racist comments about our esteemed President Smt. Draupadi Murmu and faced no punishment, has now verbally abused and heckled a lady police officer.

"Despite his shameful behavior, I salute the courageous officer for standing her ground and not being intimidated. Concerned for her safety, but immensely proud that there are still brave individuals in our state who uphold the honor of their uniform and know how to defend its dignity."

In 2022, Giri faced flak for making a controversial remark on President Droupadi Murmu.

After widespread criticism, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had apologised on Giri's behalf.