Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has approached the Calcutta High Court by filing two separate petitions, alleging police inaction in one case while expressing concerns over possible legal action in an older FIR registered against her.
The petitions were mentioned before the bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharya, who has allowed them to be filed. The cases are expected to come up for hearing on July 8.
One of the petitions seeks interim legal protection after Mahua Moitra expressed concerns that the police may take action against her in connection with an FIR registered over remarks she allegedly made during an online interaction.
According to the complaint filed on June 16, Moitra allegedly commented that those waiting outside the court to throw eggs at her should wear burqas so their faces could not be identified. The remark led to an FIR accusing her of promoting communal disharmony and hurting religious sentiments.
Moitra has now requested the High Court to grant her protection from any coercive legal action while the matter remains under judicial consideration.
In her second petition, Mahua Moitra has alleged that the police failed to take appropriate action on the FIR she lodged after an egg-throwing incident during a political event in Kaliganj, Nadia.
The incident reportedly took place when Moitra was attending a meeting at a Trinamool Congress office along National Highway 34. According to her allegations, a group of protesters gathered outside the office, raised slogans against her, and threw eggs at the building while she was inside.
She claimed that the protesters were BJP workers and accused the police of remaining passive despite the disturbance.
Court sources indicated that the police later issued a notice to Mahua Moitra under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in connection with the incident. The notice was reportedly sent via email, and Moitra responded to it.
However, her legal team argued before the court that the notice was not served in accordance with legal procedures. They alleged that instead of delivering it directly, the notice was pasted on the wall of an under-construction building.
The MP has also claimed that the police have become active in connection with another FIR registered against her at Hogalberia Police Station on June 28, increasing her concerns about possible legal action.
Apart from seeking legal protection, Mahua Moitra has also requested the High Court to ensure that she can carry out her responsibilities as an opposition Member of Parliament without fear or intimidation.
Her petition asks the court to direct the authorities to provide a safe environment so that she can freely visit her parliamentary constituency and participate in political activities without disruption.
The Calcutta High Court is expected to hear both petitions together on July 8, when further directions may be issued.