Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Bengal Court Issues Warrant Against Mahua Moitra
A court in West Bengal ordered an arrest warrant for MP Mahua Moitra.
The court said she had not come to several hearings after being summoned.
Her lawyer said she was worried that people outside the court might heckle her.
The judge said her repeated absence showed that she was not following the court’s orders.
The case is about a video in which a complainant says Moitra made hurtful and provocative comments about religion and women.
Moitra has said she wanted her lawyer to represent her and has denied intending to encourage violence.
She plans to ask a higher court to review the order.
Police must tell the court what happens with the warrant by August 28.
Reports disagree about the year in which the complaint was filed and when the disputed remarks were made.
The Krishnanagar 3rd Judicial Magistrate issued an immediate arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra.
The court cited her repeated failure to attend hearings despite multiple summonses and a final direction to appear on Wednesday.
Moitra’s lawyer said she feared being heckled outside the court, while Moitra said she would challenge the order through legal channels.
The complaint alleges that a video message by Moitra hurt religious sentiments and included remarks promoting enmity, insulting women and amounting to hate speech.
Police must submit a report on the warrant’s execution by August 28; reports differ over the complaint’s year and the precise circumstances of the remarks.
- Who
- Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra; the Krishnanagar 3rd Judicial Magistrate; the complainant and lawyers; and West Bengal police.
- What
- The court issued an arrest warrant after Moitra repeatedly failed to appear in an alleged hate speech case.
- When
- The warrant was issued on Wednesday, with an execution report due August 28. Articles variously identify the complaint as filed on June 17, 2025 or June 17, 2026, and the remarks as dating from June 12, August 2025 or the previous year.
- Where
- The case is before the Krishnanagar court in Nadia district, West Bengal.
- Why
- The court cited repeated non-compliance with summonses and appearance orders; her lawyer cited fears of heckling and Moitra said she would pursue legal remedies.
Court and Complainant’s Position
Moitra and Her Defense
Failure to appear
Court and Complainant’s Position
The court and the complainant’s lawyer said Moitra repeatedly failed to comply with summonses and court directions, leaving the court with no alternative but to issue a warrant.
Moitra and Her Defense
Moitra said she expected her lawyer to appear for her. Her lawyer cited a bar-association boycott, commotion in court and concerns that she could be heckled outside the premises.
Meaning of the video
Court and Complainant’s Position
The complainant alleged that Moitra’s video contained religiously provocative remarks that hurt religious sentiments, insulted women and promoted hostility between groups.
Moitra and Her Defense
Moitra has maintained that her remarks were figurative and has denied intending to incite violence.
Basis for avoiding court
Court and Complainant’s Position
The court rejected her repeated absence as sufficient justification for delaying the proceedings, noting that she had received multiple opportunities and summonses.
Moitra and Her Defense
Her defense said the potential presence of hostile protesters, including people who might heckle or throw eggs, made appearing in person unsafe or difficult.
- Issuing court
- The 3rd Judicial Magistrate of the Krishnanagar court issued the warrant.
- Police deadline
- Police must submit a report on execution of the warrant by August 28.
- Court’s reasoning
- The court described Moitra’s conduct as a “lackadaisical approach” and a “series of disobedience” of its orders.
- Missed appearances
- One report lists missed hearing dates as August 4, 12, 18 and 19; other reports say she missed multiple summonses and the final Wednesday appearance.
- Alleged offences
- The complaint invokes Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 79, 196, 299, 351 and 353(2), concerning allegations including insulting a woman’s modesty, promoting enmity, outraging religious feelings, criminal intimidation and hate speech.
- Defense position
- Moitra’s lawyer cited possible heckling outside court; Moitra said she wanted representation by her lawyer and would challenge the order.
- Reported date discrepancy
- Articles differ on whether the complaint was filed on June 17, 2025 or June 17, 2026, and on whether the disputed comments were made on June 12, in August 2025 or the previous year.
Sources
Bengal court issues arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in hate speech case
WB Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra
Arrest warrant against Mahua Moitra for skipping summons; MP to challenge court order
TMC MP Mahua Moitra in trouble? Bengal court issues arrest warrant in hate speech case
Arrest Warrant Issued Against TMC MP Mahua Moitra In Alleged Hate Speech Case
Bengal Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against TMC MP Mahua Moitra In Alleged Hate Speech Case