Arrest warrant against Mohua Moitra
A Nadia district court issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mohua Moitra for failing to appear before it in a hate speech-related case. The Court also directed submission of an action taken report on the execution of the warrant by 28 August. The erring MP, however, has time to correct her judicial procedure by appearing before the court.
The case relates to alleged hate speech. Third District and Sessions Court Judge Dibyendu Das, while passing the order, held that the MP had failed to respond to earlier pre-cognisance summons. APP Shirshendu Das said that summons were issued to Moitra in a case filed for making some derogatory statements against the Indian Army and Home Minister Amit Shah. She also allegedly made some derogatory remarks against women, the lawyer said. “She would not appear three times despite summons being issued … so this time the learned court has issued the warrant,” the advocate said.
The Judge had earlier on Tuesday asked Moitra to remain present personally. As she did not appear on Wednesday, the Court took cognizance of her “series of disobediences” and “lackadaisical approach” to comply with the court order. The Judge held, “the court is left with no other option but to issue an arrest warrant against her.” Moitra had earlier filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking permission to appear before an investigating officer virtually, as she feared eggs could be thrown at her like in many previous cases where other TMC leaders were attacked with eggs.
The Apex Court had, however, turned down the petition. Meanwhile, in a parallel development, former union minister and TMC MP from Dum Dum Saugato Roy has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla alleging breach of privilege against two BJP MLAs from Dum Dum for provoking people to gherao and “attack” his car near Netaji Subhas International Airport, where he was going to attend a meeting in the capacity of Chairman, Kolkata Airport Advisory Authority. The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon. The protesters who surrounded his car and thumped on its bonnet and windows raised slogans like “thief go back,” Roy alleged, adding that the driver of his vehicle was also heckled. “It is an absolute breach of privilege, and two BJP MLAs are behind this … I have written to the Speaker seeking action … strict action should be taken,” Roy said.
The two MLAs are Arijit Bakshi and Sourav Sikdar, both from Dum Dum. Sikdar subsequently denied his involvement in the incident, saying it could be a product of public discontent. “The way his (Roy) men have indulged in extortion and loot … the locals who were victims of such torture showed their anger through a protest,” Sikdar said.
