Mahua Moitra’s interim protection from arrest extended

NEW DELHI: The Calcutta high court on Thursday extended till January 29, 2027, the interim protection granted to Mahua Moitra, MP from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), in an alleged hate speech case.During the hearing, West Bengal advocate general Surojit Nath Mitra, appearing for the state government, submitted a report before the single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya. The report noted that Moitra appeared before the Hogalberia police station in Nadia district on August 14 and answered the questions put to her by the investigating officer, in compliance with the court’s earlier directions.The report further stated that the investigation into the alleged hate speech was still underway.Moitra’s counsel told the court that the Krishnanagar MP was not subjected to egg pelting when she appeared at the police station on August 14. The lawyer had earlier alleged that Moitra faced such attacks whenever she visited her constituency in Nadia district.Also Read | ‘Faced them as freedom fighter faced bullets’: TMC MP Mahua Moitra after eggs pelted at herAfter hearing both sides, Justice Bhattacharyya extended Moitra’s interim protection from coercive action in the case until January 29, 2027. The court fixed January 13 as the next date of hearing.In the petition, the TMC Mamata faction leader, has sought quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated against her in connection with the case registered at Hogalberia police station on the complaint of a BJP worker. She has alleged that the case is based on “concocted and motivated allegations”.

On July 21, Justice Bhattacharyya had granted Moitra interim protection from coercive action in the case and directed her to appear before the investigating officer on August 14 for questioning.The court had ordered that no coercive action be taken against her until October 5, subject to her complying with the conditions imposed by the court.Acting on a plea by her counsel, the judge had also directed the police to ensure that Moitra was not subjected to egg pelting when she appeared before the investigating officer.