Rape remark: Tapas Paul gets bail

The CID had submitted the chargesheet in the case on May 26, in which the MP was charged under IPC Sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 505(1)(b) (statement with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against public tranquillity), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

[related-post]

On June 30, 2014, Paul was caught on camera addressing gatherings at Choumaha, Teghari, Haranagar and Gopinathpur areas of Nadia district where he threatened to shoot workers of Opposition parties. He had also warned that he will let loose members of his party to rape women. Later, however, he had apologised for his remark.

Paul’s remarks were aired by news channels and a complaint was lodged with the Nakashipara police station on July 1. On July 28, Justice Dipankar Dutta of the Calcutta High Court, on a petition seeking CID investigation into Paul’s comments, ordered the police station to treat the complaint as an FIR.

Appeals by the state government and Paul before a division bench of the HC had led to a split verdict. Justice Nishita Mhatre, as a referee judge, on September 25 ordered lodging of an FIR and a CID probe into Paul’s controversial remarks made during public meetings in his Krishnagar constituency.

Paul was the first Trinamool MP to be chargesheeted in a case other than the multi-crore Saradha scam and was also the first one to be chargesheeted by CID.