The Calcutta High Court has stayed an arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a case about provocative remarks she made on social media. The matter will be heard on August 27.
On Monday, the Calcutta High Court stayed an arrest warrant issued against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra for failing to appear before a Krishnanagar court in a case about purportedly provocative remarks she made on social media. The complaint against Moitra was filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in June, following remarks Moitra made after women BJP supporters allegedly gathered outside the Krishnanagar court carrying eggs and tomatoes to be thrown at her. In one post, Moitra said she would file a police complaint against the women. In a video, she suggested that those wanting to throw eggs at her should wear a burqa if they wish to stay hidden. The complainant alleged that the remarks were capable of hurting religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony.
On August 19, the third judicial magistrate at Krishnanagar ordered that an arrest warrant be issued against Moitra for failing to appear before the court despite repeated summonses. The judge said that the ‘series of disobedience’ of the repeated summonses showed the ‘lackadaisical approach’ of Moitra to comply with the court order. The court also directed the authorities to submit a report on the execution of the warrant by August 28.
Subsequently, Moitra approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the warrant. Her lawyer argued that since the alleged remarks and complaints against her concerned actions taken while she was an MP, the case should be heard by the designated MP/MLA court in Salt Lake.
Source:
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