A court in West Bengal’s Nadia district on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra after she repeatedly failed to appear before it in an alleged hate speech case despite being served summons.
The 3rd Judicial Magistrate at Krishnanagar directed immediate issuance of the warrant and fixed August 28, 2026, for submission of the execution report. The court observed that Moitra had been given repeated opportunities to appear but failed to comply.
According to the order, Moitra was summoned to appear on August 12 but did not do so despite receiving the summons. The court subsequently granted her another opportunity without issuing a warrant.
On August 18, Moitra filed an application under Section 228 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), seeking exemption from personal appearance. The court directed her to appear and said the application would be considered thereafter. Section 228 permits a Magistrate to dispense with an accused’s personal appearance and allow representation through an advocate.
Moitra, however, did not appear on August 19 either. The court said her repeated non-compliance reflected a “lackadaisical approach” towards its orders and held that it had no option but to issue the arrest warrant.
The court also took note of submissions regarding Moitra’s apprehension that she could be heckled outside the court premises if she appeared in person.
The complaint, filed before the Krishnanagar court on June 17, 2026, concerns alleged objectionable and religiously provocative remarks made by Moitra in a video message following an incident in which women carrying eggs had gathered outside the court premises when she was expected to appear.
The complaint invokes Sections 79, 196, 299, 351 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious feelings, criminal intimidation and statements causing communal enmity.
The arrest warrant is separate from another proceeding concerning alleged remarks by Moitra that offended religious sentiments. In that matter, the Calcutta High Court had granted her interim protection from coercive action till October 5, subject to her cooperation with the investigation. The Supreme Court subsequently declined to entertain her plea seeking permission to appear virtually before the police.
The Krishnanagar court has now directed that the execution report of the arrest warrant be placed before it on August 28.
The post West Bengal Court issues arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra for repeated non-appearance appeared first on India Legal.