The Calcutta High Court on Monday stayed the arrest warrant issued against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra by a Krishnanagar court in connection with an alleged hate speech case.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Aryak Dutta directed that no coercive action be taken against Moitra pursuant to the warrant. Her challenge to the warrant is scheduled to be heard on August 27.
The warrant was issued by Third Judicial Magistrate at Krishnanagar Dibyendu Das after Moitra allegedly failed to appear before the court despite repeated summonses.
The Magistrate had directed immediate issuance of the warrant and sought an execution report by August 28. The proceedings arise from a complaint alleging that Moitra made objectionable remarks, including remarks insulting women and amounting to hate speech. The case followed the issuance of pre-cognisance summonses to the TMC MP.
While issuing the warrant, the Magistrate took note of Moitra’s repeated absence and observed that her continued non-compliance demonstrated a “lackadaisical approach” towards the court’s orders, leaving the court with “no other option” but to issue an arrest warrant.
The High Court’s latest order grants Moitra interim protection from arrest until the matter is taken up on August 27.
The proceedings are separate from another case concerning alleged objectionable remarks in which Moitra had earlier approached the High Court. In July, the High Court had granted her interim protection from coercive action in that matter while directing her to cooperate with the investigation. That protection is stated to continue until October 5.
The present proceedings, however, relate specifically to the arrest warrant issued by the Krishnanagar court over Moitra’s alleged failure to appear pursuant to summonses.
The matter will next be heard by the Division Bench on August 27, when the Court is expected to consider Moitra’s challenge to the warrant.
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