DHAKA: An Indian lawmaker apologised Tuesday after he was captured on video threatening the rape of his political rivals’ relatives, in what he said was ‘a gross error of judgement’.

Tapas Pal of the All India Trinamool Congress Party admitted his remarks had caused ‘dismay and consternation’ after initially denying he had made the rape comment.

‘I have no excuses to offer. It was a gross error of judgement and deeply insensitive,’ Pal, 55, said in a statement, reports The Straits Times.

‘It should not have happened. And I assure you it will not happen again,’ he added.

Amid widespread outrage in India over a series of recent high-profile rapes, Pal could be clearly heard bragging of his ability to order attacks against his left-wing opponents.

BDST: 2016 HRS, JULY 01, 2014