HC extends stay on operation of order to lodge FIR against Pal

The Calcutta High Court today extended a stay on operation of its order to lodge FIR against Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal for his controversial 'shoot and rape' comments and a CID investigation into it, till delivery of judgement on an appeal against the order.
Justice Nishita Mhatre, the referee judge hearing the matter after a division bench gave a split verdict on an appeal by the state against a single bench order, extended the injunction on Justice Dipankar Dutta's order after conclusion of arguments in the matter.
A division bench comprising justices Girish Gupta and T Chakraborty had on August 13 given a split verdict on appeals against a single bench order that directed filing of FIR and a CID probe into Pal's insensitive comments.

The matter was then referred to the third judge Mahtre, nominated by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur, for deciding on points of difference between the two judges.
Pal, whose controversial remarks against women had sparked an outrage, on July 1 tendered an unconditional apology to his party saying that in making such comments he had let down his constituency and the people of Bengal.
"Some remarks made by me in the heat and dust of the election campaign (2014 Low Sabha polls) have caused dismay and consternation. I apologise unreservedly for them," Pal said in a written apology after a huge controversy broke out following airing of the video of his outburst at public meetings in his constituency.