The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday asked the West Bengal government to explain its stand on the remarks made by Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Paul, allegedly threatening his political opponents that he would “unleash his supporters to rape” their women. The matter will come up for hearing again on July 17.
Hearing a writ petition filed by advocate Samit Sanyal, a resident of Krishnanagar in Nadia district, Justice Dipankar Datta asked what the State government’s views were on the statements made by the Krishnanagar MP.
“Today, somebody is going around and saying that he will murder and rape. The State will have to take a stand on this,” Justice Datta said.
During the proceedings of the matter, the Judge told the government pleader Ashok Banerjee that along with having a responsibility towards his client - the State government - the advocate had a responsibility towards society and people.
Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Subrata Mukherjee said that the comments made by Mr. Paul had a far-reaching effect.
Though the Constitution provided the right to freedom of speech, it did not give anybody licence to go into unchartered territory, he said.
Mr. Mukherjee admitted that his client had not filed a police complaint in the case.
The government pleader, however, argued that the matter should not be taken up as a writ petition, but as public interest litigation, because the petitioner (Mr. Sanyal) was not directly affected by the MP's remarks.
Justice Datta, however, repeatedly asked what “instructions” the State government has issued in this regard.
Mr. Paul’s comments came to the fore last week and led to an outrage across the country. The MP tendered an apology to his party, which was accepted by the Trinamool Congress.
However, no penal action was taken against the MP by the State government.
The Trinamool MP is undergoing treatment in a private health facility in the city and is reportedly suffering from high blood pressure and acute back pain.
