A court in West Bengal’s Nadia district on Wednesday ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra for allegedly failing to comply with repeated summonses directing her to appear in an ongoing complaint case involving allegations of hate speech.
The Third Judicial Magistrate at the Krishnanagar court also directed that an execution report on the warrant be submitted before the court by August 28.
Court cites repeated non-compliance
The case was filed against Moitra over allegations including insulting the modesty of a woman and making statements allegedly promoting enmity between groups.
According to the court order, pre-cognisance summonses had been issued to the TMC MP, but she did not appear despite repeated directions.
The judge said the repeated non-compliance left the court with no option but to issue an arrest warrant.
“The series of disobedience of the order of this court … goes to show the lackadaisical approach of the accused to comply with the court order and accordingly this court is left with no other option but to issue a warrant of arrest against her.”
The court had directed Moitra on Tuesday to appear before it the following day. The judge noted that she was not present when the matter was taken up on Wednesday.
Lawyer cites concern over court appearance
During the proceedings, Moitra’s lawyer told the court that she would not appear before it at that point.
The lawyer also expressed apprehension that Moitra could be heckled outside the court premises if she appeared in person.
The court order, however, noted the repeated failure to comply with its directions and proceeded to issue the warrant.
Five BNS sections cited in complaint
According to a senior police official in the Krishnanagar police district, the complaint against Moitra has been filed under five provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
These include:
- Section 79 — insulting the modesty of a woman
- Section 196 — promoting enmity between groups
- Section 299 — deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings
- Section 351 — criminal intimidation
- Section 353(2) — offence relating to statements promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between groups
The allegations are part of the pending complaint case and have not been adjudicated on merits.
Earlier proceedings in hate speech case
The warrant comes amid separate proceedings concerning the same broader hate speech case. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court declined to entertain Moitra’s plea challenging a Calcutta High Court direction requiring her to appear before police for questioning. She subsequently withdrew the plea.
The Calcutta High Court had earlier granted her interim protection from coercive action, subject to her cooperation with the investigation.
The Krishnanagar court has now directed that the execution report of the arrest warrant be placed before it on August 28. Further proceedings will determine the next course of action in the case.
