Purulia Forward Bloc MP convicted of rape

The Additional Sessions Judge, Purulia, SC Chatterjee also fined them Rs 5000 each or six months imprisonment in lieu.

A local court on Friday sentenced a Forward Bloc MP Bir Singh Mahato and three others to 10 years rigorous imprisonment after convicting them in a rape case involving a housewife in Baghmundi in this district.

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Delivering the judgement, the Additional Sessions Judge, Purulia, SC Chatterjee also fined them Rs 5000 each or six months imprisonment in lieu.

The case was filed in the Purulia court in November 1982.

Besides Mahato, a five-time MP from Purulia, three others -- Tipu Kamar, Dhansingh Murmu and Budhu Murmu -- were convicted under Sections 376 2G (gang rape) and 448 (house trespassing).

They were taken to the Purulia District Correctional Home amidst tight security.

Another accused Haimi Murmu died during the tenure of the case.

The judgement comes a day after the CPI(M) and its allies including the Forward Bloc, swept the Assembly elections in West Bengal.

Forward Bloc Secretary Ashoke Ghosh said in Kolkata a decision on taking action against Mahato would be taken after studying the verdict.