3 weeks ago
Supreme Court chides Mahua Moitra over egg fears; plea withdrawn
A politician in India named Mahua Moitra is a member of Parliament.
A police case was filed against her because some people said her words hurt their religious feelings.
Earlier, people threw eggs and vegetables at the office where she was sitting.
She worried she might be attacked with eggs again if she went to the police station.
So she asked the biggest court in the country to let her talk to the police officer over a video call.
One judge said that brave freedom fighters took bullets on their chest, so a politician should not fear eggs.
The judge added that such requests should not come to the Supreme Court at all.
Her lawyer then took back the request.
The court closed the matter after the request was withdrawn.
The Supreme Court refused to entertain TMC MP Mahua Moitra's plea challenging a Calcutta High Court order requiring her to appear in person before the investigating officer.
Justice Dipankar Datta asked why a politician should fear eggs when freedom fighters 'took bullets on their chest.'
Moitra sought a virtual appearance citing security concerns after eggs and vegetables were hurled at a TMC office in Krishnanagar on July 1.
The FIR stems from a complaint that her remark about attackers wearing a burqa hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan withdrew the petition, which the court dismissed as withdrawn.
- Who
- TMC MP Mahua Moitra; Supreme Court bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu; senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan.
- What
- The Supreme Court refused to entertain Moitra's plea for a virtual appearance before the investigating officer; her petition was withdrawn and dismissed as withdrawn.
- Where
- Supreme Court of India; the underlying case involves West Bengal's Krishnanagar and the Calcutta High Court.
- When
- On Friday, following a July 1 egg-pelting incident and a July 21 Calcutta High Court order granting interim protection from arrest.
- Why
- Moitra cited fears of egg attacks and wanted the FIR, filed for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, addressed in her favour.
Moitra's position
Court and complainant's position
Virtual appearance
Moitra's position
Appearing in person risks further egg attacks, and she has a legal right to appear virtually before the investigating officer.
Court and complainant's position
A politician should not fear eggs when freedom fighters took bullets, and such requests should not come to the Supreme Court at all.
Controversial remark
Moitra's position
Her comment about attackers wearing a burqa was aimed at the goons who threw eggs, and she planned to file a police complaint over the July 1 attack.
Court and complainant's position
A BJP leader complained the remark hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community, leading to the FIR.
Egg attacks
Moitra's position
The attacks are part of a series of assaults on TMC leaders by BJP 'goons' since the BJP came to power in West Bengal.
Court and complainant's position
Moitra is using security concerns to avoid complying with the investigation order.
Key facts
- Politician
- Mahua Moitra
- Party
- Trinamool Congress (TMC)
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu
- FIR allegation
- Provocative remarks hurting religious sentiments
- Request
- Virtual appearance before investigating officer
- Key dates
- July 1 egg-pelting; July 21 interim protection till Oct 5; appearance fixed for Aug 14
- Outcome
- Plea withdrawn and dismissed as withdrawn
Quotes
Justice Dipankar Datta
Supreme Court Judge
“You are a Member of Parliament? Having taken the plunge into politics, you fear eggs? When our freedom fighters have taken bullets on their chest? These are applications that should not come before this court at all”
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indianexpress.com
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“"Just because you are an MP?"”
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Sources
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