Date:16/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/16/stories/2006051603890900.htm

National

Court rejects Mahato plea to attend House

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition from Bir Singh Mahato, All-India Forward Bloc MP, sentenced to 10-year rigorous imprisonment in a rape case, seeking permission to attend the current Parliament session.

A vacation Bench comprising Justices B. P. Singh and R. V. Raveendran refused any relief on the petition by counsel, who said an appeal was being filed in the Calcutta High Court against the sessions court verdict. The Purulia MP might be permitted to attend the House and meanwhile the verdict stayed, counsel said.

The trial court on May 12 convicted and sentenced Mr. Mahato after he was found guilty of the rape of a girl, who had been kept in illegal confinement.