Bengal court issues arrest warrant against Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra in hate speech case

Kolkata: A court in West Bengal’s Krishnanagar issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a case of controversial comments regarding the Indian Army on Wednesday.

It is alleged that Mahua did not appear in court despite being summoned several times in this case. That is why an arrest warrant was issued against her on the last day of her appearance.

Mahua is accused of making controversial and insulting comments not only against the Indian Army but also against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In addition, some of her comments on women wearing Tulsi Mala, Burkha and Hijab created controversy. In view of this, a resident of Krishnanagar in Nadia district recently filed a petition in the court.

The plaintiff’s lawyer Shirshendu Das said that summons had been issued in Mahua’s name several times in the past. She was asked to appear in person in the Krishnanagar court. However, she did not come to the court even for a day.

It was learnt that Chayan Nandi, a resident of Nazirapara area of ​​Krishnanagar, approached the court against Mahua Moitra. His lawyer Shirshendu Das argued on his behalf in the court.

Speaking to media persons, he said, “My client had filed a complaint regarding women wearing Tulsi mala, burqa and hijab, making indecent comments about the Union Home Minister, the army and jawans, and violating the modesty of women. Despite being summoned repeatedly, she did not appear in court on any date. An arrest warrant was issued against her on the last day of his physical appearance from the bench of Judicial Magistrate Third Court Judge Dibyendu Das.”

In the wake of Mahua’s comments, a case was filed against her under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sections related to outrage on the modesty of women, inciting enmity between different groups, hurting religious sentiments, intimidation and hate speech have been added to the case.

It is worth mentioning that a few days ago, Mahua went to appear at Hogalberia police station in Nadia on the orders of the court in another case. After that, she spent the night at the Circuit House in Krishnanagar. Allegedly, she was harassed there at night. The administration asked the MP to leave the Circuit House at night.

BJP workers and supporters gathered outside and protested for a long time. Mahua explained the events by publishing one video after another on social media from the Circuit House. Later, she also wrote a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker regarding it.

IANS