New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) A complaint has been filed before a Delhi court seeking registration of an FIR against Independent Lok Sabha MP from Bihar’s Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, over his alleged derogatory remarks against women in politics.

The complaint was filed by Satish Kumar Aggarwal before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate First Class at Karkardooma Courts under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

According to the plea, the MP had on April 21 made a statement before the media saying, “Without entering a politician’s room, 90 per cent of women cannot do politics,” which the complainant termed as “deeply offensive, derogatory, and obscene”.

The plea stated that the remarks were “ex facie insulting, demeaning, and prejudicial to the dignity, honour, and modesty of women” and had caused “grave resentment and outrage” after being widely circulated across media platforms.

The complainant alleged that the statement insulted the dignity, modesty and honour of women and amounted to offences punishable under Sections 79, 356(2) and 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

“The statement explicitly projects a derogatory, obscene, and disparaging narrative suggesting that women can only advance in public life through sexual compromise,” the complaint said.

It further stated that the remarks were made in the backdrop of discussions surrounding the Women’s Reservation Bill and that Pappu Yadav, being an elected representative, made the statement while representing himself as a parliamentarian.

The plea claimed that the complainant had earlier approached the SHO of Farsh Bazar Police Station on April 25, seeking legal action against the MP, but no FIR was registered.

It also referred to a complaint lodged through the Delhi government’s CM Public Grievance Portal, which was allegedly forwarded to the Superintendent of Police, Purnea, without any substantive action.

Seeking intervention from the court, the complainant urged the Magistrate to direct registration of an FIR and order a “fair, impartial and time-bound investigation” into the matter.

Alternatively, the plea sought an inquiry under Section 202 of the BNSS for preservation and examination of electronic and broadcast evidence linked to the alleged remarks.

Earlier, the Bihar State Women’s Commission had issued a notice to Pappu Yadav over the purported remarks after taking suo motu cognisance of the matter. It had termed the alleged remarks “objectionable” and “against the dignity of women” and sought an explanation from the MP within three days.

The controversy had triggered sharp political reactions, with leaders across party lines criticising the statement and demanding action against the Purnea MP.

However, Pappu Yadav had maintained that his remarks were taken out of context and were intended to highlight the alleged exploitation faced by women in politics.

He had also stated that his comments were selectively presented and asserted that his intention was to raise concerns regarding crimes and exploitation faced by women in public life.

–IANS

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