An FIR has been registered against senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh at Durgapur Police Station for his ‘offensive’ comments on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Ghosh has been charged under IPC sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), the official stated.
The FIR stemmed from complaints filed by an advocate at Durgapur court and another individual, according to the official.
Ghosh, the former state BJP president, issued an apology on Wednesday for his remarks concerning Banerjee, which had sparked a political controversy.
The Election Commission also took action, issuing a show-cause notice to Ghosh following a complaint by the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, directing him to respond by March 29.
As per the English translation of Ghosh’s comments provided by the EC in its notice, he had remarked: “When Didi goes to Goa, she becomes Goa’s daughter, in Tripura, she says I am Tripura’s daughter; decide who is your father, this is not right”.
The election commission deemed the remarks offensive, insulting, and prima facie a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The BJP, in a communication to Ghosh, who is contesting from the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat, condemned the comments as “unparliamentary” and contrary to the party’s ethos.
Ghosh expressed regret for his statements on Wednesday, acknowledging the reservations of both his party and the general public regarding his choice of words.
“If it is so, I am sorry for that,” Ghosh, known for his controversial remarks, stated.