Did Netaji ever marry Emilie Schenkl?

The declassification of 64 intelligence files on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by the West Bengal government has given rise to more confusion than filling gaps, feel experts. 

According to the deponent in the Justice Mukherjee Commission, Jayanta Chowdhury, the declassified files have created confusion over Netaji’s marriage with Emilie Schenkl.

“In a book written by Sugata Bose, Trinamool Congress MP and the great grand nephew of Netaji, reveals that Netaji secretly married Emilie in 1937. But, an intelligence report that was a part of the declassified file says that Netaji married her in the year 1942. On the other hand, while applying for a visa to China, Netaji had mentioned his marital status as 'single',” said Chowdhury.

Chowdhury also adds that in the year 1944, Netaji had denied reports of his marriage with Emilie. “Netaji has denied reports of his marriage on several instances. There is very little conclusive evidence that he married Emilie,” Chowdhury added.

The deponent in the Justice Mukherjee Commission also highlights that there could be some more files with the state, which might not have been declassified. “The state might be in possession of some more classified files. If those files are made public, it might help in connecting the missing dots as far as Netaji’s marriage is concerned,” Chowdhury said.