Courts Grant Protection to MP Mahua Moitra Amid Harassment
Mahua Moitra received extended legal protection and security from Indian courts following allegations of hate speech and harassment in her Krishnanagar constituency.
The Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India have issued multiple orders to protect Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra amid ongoing legal battles and reports of harassment in West Bengal.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya of the Calcutta High Court extended interim protection from coercive action for Moitra until January 29, 2027, in a hate speech case. The extension followed confirmation from West Bengal Advocate General Surojit Nath Mitra that Moitra complied with a directive to appear for questioning at the Hogalberia police station on August 14. Moitra is currently seeking to quash the criminal proceedings, which she claims are concocted.
Simultaneously, the Calcutta High Court extended security protection for Moitra during visits to her Krishnanagar constituency until November 30, 2026. The court ordered the Superintendent of Police in Krishnanagar to provide two personnel to prevent egg-pelting and harassment. This matter will be reviewed by a division bench led by Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge on November 27.
In a separate action, the Supreme Court of India ordered the West Bengal government to respond within one week to a plea by Moitra regarding inadequate protection. Moitra alleged that on August 14, Nadia district officials pressured her to vacate a state-owned Circuit House in the middle of the night while crowds gathered outside shouting "Jai Shri Ram" slogans. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta agreed to file the responses, though the court questioned if Moitra had followed proper notification protocols for the facility.
