Opposition demands Mamata to apologise in public

Kolkata: Opposition BJP and CPI(M) in West Bengal today welcomed the verdict on Park Street rape case that sparked a lot of controversy since the incident took place in February 2012 and demanded an apology from the Chief Minister for some of her ‘comments’.

“Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should apologise before people of Bengal for her comment describing the incident as fabricated,” BJP state President Rahul Sinha said.

The court’s verdict has proved that the CM was wrong and “she should now apologise for her mistake”, Sinha added.

Welcoming the verdict, the CPI(M) state Secretary and Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra also demanded the CM’s apology for her comment after the incident about four years back.

In the wake of criticism over her initial comments on the Park Street car rape incident as ‘fabricated’ (sajano ghatona) Banerjee had clarified her initial response was based on a preliminary probe report and accused a TV channel of distorting her statement.

“In the Park Street incident, a particular TV channel dished out lies attributing to me. I never told them that nothing had happened or otherwise. Whatever the police told me as per preliminary investigation, I said,” she had stated on February 27, 2012, days after the shocking incident made national headlines.

Three accused in the infamous Park Street gangrape case were today convicted by a court here, while two other accused in the case are still absconding.

The quantum of punishment will be announced tomorrow.