The Calcutta High Court has extended the interim protection granted to Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a case concerning alleged remarks that purportedly hurt religious sentiments. The protection will now remain in force until January 29, with the court making it clear that the police investigation can continue.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya said on Thursday that the protection would not prevent the investigating agency from proceeding with the probe. Moitra, the Krishnanagar MP, will also be required to cooperate with the investigation. The matter will next come up for hearing on January 13.
The case stems from an incident on June 15, when Moitra allegedly made remarks during a Facebook Live broadcast that were claimed to be derogatory towards religious beliefs.
The following day, Hirak Bhattacharyya, general secretary of the BJP’s Karimpur Mandal-4, lodged a written complaint at Hogalberia police station in Nadia. Police subsequently registered an FIR and began an investigation.
Moitra later approached the High Court challenging the FIR and seeking protection from coercive action. In July, the court had directed that no coercive steps be taken against her until October 5. The protection has now been extended further.
The court, however, has not halted the investigation. Moitra will have to cooperate with the authorities while the interim protection remains in place.
Security to continue after alleged egg attack
The High Court has also continued the security arrangement for Moitra following an alleged egg-throwing incident in her Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency.
Moitra had recently visited the party office at Haulia Park More in Tehatta for a meeting with party leaders and workers. According to her complaint, BJP supporters allegedly gathered at the location after learning of her visit, following which eggs were thrown at her.
Moitra subsequently approached the High Court seeking adequate security, arguing that the absence of sufficient protection was affecting her ability to carry out work in her parliamentary constituency.
Earlier, the court had directed that two police personnel be deployed for her security while she was in her parliamentary constituency. On Thursday, the court extended that arrangement until November 30.
The security-related proceedings, however, have now been separated from the wider litigation concerning the alleged egg-throwing incidents.
Several cases relating to such incidents are currently before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge. A public interest litigation has also been filed before the Chief Justice’s bench concerning the incidents, and the court has indicated that matters relating to the alleged egg attacks would be heard there.
Against this backdrop, Justice Bhattacharyya recused himself from hearing the egg-throwing cases involving Moitra.
The High Court’s latest order therefore leaves two issues on separate tracks: the criminal investigation into the alleged religiously offensive remarks will continue under the extended interim protection, while the broader litigation concerning the alleged egg-throwing incidents will be dealt with by the Chief Justice’s bench.
