File FIR against Tapas Paul: HC

Observing that the “rape and shoot” comments made by Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Paul against CPI(M) supporters were “outrageous and surpass all bounds of civility,” the Calcutta High Court on Monday ordered the police to file an FIR against him and directed the CID to investigate the matter.

Delivering an interim order on the petition filed by Biplab Kumar Chowdhury, Justice Dipankar Datta said “apathy and indifference of the police not to swing into action immediately points to the depths of lawlessness that the State has touched … the life of a citizen is not cheap but precious, the protective shield of law cannot be withered away so as to leave the citizens of this State in a state of lawlessness.” Justice Datta said the probe would be monitored.

Rubbishing Mr. Paul’s apology after his statement created a furore, the court said, “To whom did he tender an apology? To his party or to the public?” In the 43-page order, Justice Datta said, “If a law-maker becomes a law-breaker and the law enforcing agency, despite being informed, turns a blind eye to it, can a civilised nation tolerate it? Let this be an eye-opener for politicians like Mr. Paul.”

While the Trinamool Congress remained silent on the order, the Opposition welcomed it.