BJP's P.C. Sorcar faces sexual harassment case

P.C. Sorcar, famed magician and BJP candidate from West Bengal's Barasat, is facing a case of sexual harassment pending against him.

He has also declared assets worth over Rs.3.4 crore.

Sorcar has been accused of "physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures, and making sexually coloured remarks" under section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code.

It carries a maximum punishment of rigorous imprisonment of three years.

The case was filed after he allegedly made derogatory comments against Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and his rival candidate Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar of the Trinamool Congress during his Lok Sabha poll campaigning on March 28.

Without naming the chief minister, Sorcar had reportedly said: "She says those who have raped, they are naughty boys. I ask her, if she is raped. What will she do?"

About Dastidar, he said: "She says a lot of things. She is a gynecologist. So she doesn't understand anything about men. I am a male. I am a psychologist. I hold a doctorate degree. I cure insane people. If she is insane, bring her to me, I will cure her."

Subsequently, he was granted anticipatory bail April 2 after he approached a court seeking relief.

According to his affidavit filed with the Election Commission, his annual income in 2012-13 stood in excess of Rs.16 lakh and he possesses moveable assets in excess of Rs.82 lakh, including over Rs.5.50 lakh worth of gold. He owns two motor vehicles which are valued at more than Rs.20 lakh.

His immoveable assets, including a 2,500-square-feet residential building in Kolkata, are valued over Rs.2.64 crore while he has Rs.8.50 lakh as liabilities.

His wife is also a professional magician with an annual income of more than Rs.3.63 lakh. She owns moveable assets valued over Rs.43 lakh while her immoveable assets are in excess of Rs.31.80 lakh.