Political leaders today welcomed court's order for a probe by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against Trinamool Congress (TMC) party MP, Tapas Pal for his controversial remark.
Tapas Pal had allegedly exhorted his men to kill communist workers and rape their party women supporters.
The Calcutta High Court, in West Bengal, on Monday ordered court-monitored inquiry into his statement and also directed police to file an FIR (First Information Report) against Pal.
Communist Party of India (CPI), leader Gurudas Dasgupta, appreciated the step.
"It will definitely help to have a full-fledged inquiry without being influenced by any political circle. That this High Court has taken cognizance of it and thus ordered suo moto inquiry and asked for the FIR to be filed and has decided to monitor the investigation is definitely a welcome decision. We want a real probe ; police is an instrument of the state, it should not come under the influence of any political party or even the government," said Dasgupta.
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Meanwhile, chief of West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) , Rahul Sinha, condemned the statement made by Pal and expressed happiness over the court's decision.
"The manner in which Tapas Pal made such a derogatory statement, insulting our mothers and sisters, nobody has ever done that in the entire world. That is why, earlier also we said he should be suspended from parliament and must be sent to jail. Today we are happy as we were the first party to lodge an FIR against him, but government did not make it official. But we welcome today's court decision to hold a CID investigation monitored by court and also the orders of submitting a report by September 01," said Sinha.
Pal's statement led to a widespread criticism as a number of women activists' groups took to streets to protest against his controversial remarks.
TMC had subsequently sought an apology from Pal and had, reportedly, forgiven him after he tendered an unconditional apology.
In fact, Pal's wife Nandini Pal also offered an apology for her husband's anti-women remarks after the incident found subsequent media space.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Mohammed Salim, had blamed Mamata Banerjee -led government in West Bengal for the delay in action.
"I think this would have been easily done but because of the Mamata Banerjee's regime here nothing moves voluntarily. You have to move it further and for all these matters you have to approach the court. And only after the court has reviewed the case and directed the state government the police have to open a case and start investigation; otherwise it's a cognizable offence. But in this regime, if you are connected with the higher-ups, if you are someone from the Trinamool Congress, be you the ordinary worker or top leader of TMC, if Mamata Banerjee is holding the umbrella on your top, then no police or no administrative officers will take any action," said Salim.
