Police lodge FIR against Paul

TT, Sept. 27: Nadia police today booked Trinamul MP Tapas Paul under four IPC sections, setting the stage for the high court-ordered CID probe into his “rape-and-shoot” speech after months of dithering.

One of the four sections (505) is non-bailable and two (505 and 509) are cognisable, which means the police do not need court permission to arrest the accused. (See chart)

The police promptly drew up an FIR when social activist Biplab Kumar Chowdhury went to Nakashipara police station today and handed over the high court’s Thursday order. The court, hearing an appeal by Chowdhury alleging police inaction, had directed that an FIR be lodged within 72 hours and the CID deputy inspector-general begin the probe.

Nadia police superintendent Arnab Ghosh, who had examined Chowdhury’s earlier two-page FIR for two months, said today: “According to the high court’s order, we have lodged an FIR against Tapas Paul and a case has been started.”

Asked later if Paul could be arrested, Ghosh said the case would be probed by the CID, but added that some of the “charges are cognisable”.

Another officer said the police would hand over the case papers to the CID.

CID sources said a team would visit Nakashipara shortly to collect documents and a CD of Paul’s speech.

The sources said CID chief Damayanti Sen could oversee the probe.

Coming out of Nakashipara police station, social activist Chowdhury claimed “victory”.