1 week ago
Calcutta High Court Stays Warrant Against TMC MP Mahua Moitra
A court in Krishnanagar issued an arrest warrant for MP Mahua Moitra.
The court said she had not appeared after receiving several summonses.
The Calcutta High Court has temporarily stopped that warrant.
The High Court will hear more arguments on August 27.
The complaint is about comments Moitra made on social media in June.
The complainant says the comments could hurt religious feelings and community peace.
The comments followed an incident involving women BJP supporters outside a court.
Moitra’s lawyer says the allegations are baseless and should be heard by a special lawmakers’ court.
The lower court has asked for a report about the warrant by August 28.
The Calcutta High Court stayed an arrest warrant issued against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.
The Krishnanagar court issued the warrant on August 19 after Moitra allegedly failed to attend despite repeated summonses.
The complaint concerns remarks described as insulting women, provocative, or capable of hurting religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony.
Moitra’s lawyer argued that the designated MP/MLA court in Salt Lake should hear the case and said the allegations did not constitute a criminal offence.
The High Court will hear the complainant on August 27, while the lower court requested a warrant-execution report by August 28.
- Who
- Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, a BJP leader who filed the complaint, and judges of the Calcutta High Court and Krishnanagar court.
- What
- The Calcutta High Court stayed an arrest warrant issued against Moitra in a case concerning alleged provocative remarks.
- Where
- The case involves the Krishnanagar court and Nadia district court; Moitra’s lawyer cited the designated MP/MLA court in Salt Lake, while the challenge was heard by the Calcutta High Court.
- When
- The warrant was ordered on August 19; the High Court will hear the matter on August 27, and the lower court requested a report by August 28.
- Why
- The warrant was issued after the Krishnanagar court said Moitra failed to appear despite repeated summonses; the High Court stayed it while considering her challenge.
Moitra’s Legal Position
Complainant’s Allegations and Lower-Court Action
Appropriate court
Moitra’s Legal Position
Moitra’s lawyer argued that the designated MP/MLA court in Salt Lake should hear the matter because the remarks and complaints concerned actions taken while she was an MP.
Complainant’s Allegations and Lower-Court Action
The complaint proceeded before the Nadia district court through the Krishnanagar court, which issued summonses and later the warrant.
Nature of the remarks
Moitra’s Legal Position
Moitra’s lawyer called the allegations baseless and frivolous and argued that the complaint did not constitute a criminal offence.
Complainant’s Allegations and Lower-Court Action
The complainant alleged that Moitra’s social-media remarks were capable of hurting religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony; other reports described the case as involving insults to women and hate speech.
Failure to appear
Moitra’s Legal Position
The High Court stayed the warrant and directed that the matter be heard again after considering the complainant’s position.
Complainant’s Allegations and Lower-Court Action
The Krishnanagar magistrate said Moitra had failed to appear despite repeated summonses and characterized this as a series of disobedience or a lackadaisical approach to court orders.
Key facts
- Accused
- Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP
- Complaint filed by
- A Bharatiya Janata Party leader
- Remarks
- June social-media posts described in the reports as provocative and allegedly insulting women
- Allegations
- The remarks allegedly hurt religious sentiments and disturbed communal harmony
- Warrant issuer
- Third Judicial Magistrate at Krishnanagar
- Warrant date
- August 19
- Court schedule
- Calcutta High Court hearing on August 27; warrant-execution report due in the lower court on August 28
Sources
Related news
Bengal Court Issues Warrant Against Mahua Moitra
Mahua Moitra Challenges Nadia Arrest Warrant in Calcutta High Court
Mahua Moitra Challenges Arrest Warrant in Alleged Hate Speech Case
Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra Over Remarks
Supreme Court refuses Mahua Moitra plea for virtual police appearance
Supreme Court chides Mahua Moitra over egg fears; plea withdrawn
Press Bodies Challenge FIR Over ABP's 'Gerua Gundami' Report
Mahua Moitra Faces Black-Flag Protest During Bengal Visit
Calcutta High Court Orders Protection for Mahua Moitra
Supreme Court Defers Lokpal Pleas in Mahua Moitra Case
