Bengal court issues arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in hate speech case

A court in Krishnanagar had ordered the action after the MP failed to appear before it despite repeated summons.

The ‘series of disobedience’ of repeated summonses showed the Trinamool Congress MP’s ‘lackadaisical approach’ to the court order, the judge said.

A Krishnanagar court in West Bengal 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.The Third Judicial Magistrate directed that the warrant be issued immediately and asked for an execution report to be submitted by August 28. The court had directed Moitra to appear on Wednesday, but she did not turn up.#WATCH | Nadia, West Bengal: A local Court issues arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra for alleged hate speech. Shirshendu Das, Assistant Public Prosecutor says, "An arrest warrant was issued today. On June 12, the MP made objectionable statements against Union Home… pic.twitter.com/XkryhtKGOf— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2026 Her lawyer told the court that the MP would not appear, citing concerns that she could be heckled outside the court premises. The magistrate, however, took a strong view of her repeated absence, observing that her conduct showed a “lackadaisical approach” towards complying with court orders.Bengal Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against TMC MP Mahua Moitra In Alleged Hate Speech CaseThe complaint stems from a video message posted by Moitra after a group of women reportedly gathered outside the court carrying eggs when they learnt that she was expected to appear. The complainant alleged that her remarks hurt religious sentiments and were provocative.The case was registered on June 17 under provisions relating to promoting enmity, outraging religious feelings, criminal intimidation, and other offences.The court had provided Moitra multiple opportunities to appear before proceeding with the arrest warrant.

A court in West Bengal’s Nadia district on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra for repeatedly failing to appear before it in connection with an alleged hate speech case.The warrant was issued by the 3rd Judicial Magistrate of the Krishnanagar court after the court took note of what it described as a “series of disobedience” of its orders. The court also directed that a report on the execution of the warrant be submitted by August 28, according to India Today.Court Takes Strong View Of Repeated AbsenceAccording to the report, the court had directed Moitra on Tuesday to appear before it on Wednesday. However, she did not appear.Her lawyer told the court that the TMC MP would not be appearing, citing apprehensions that she could be heckled outside the court premises.The magistrate, however, took a strong view of her repeated absence and said her conduct reflected a “lackadaisical approach” towards complying with court orders. The court subsequently ordered the arrest warrant against the Krishnanagar MP.The court had reportedly given Moitra several opportunities to appear in the matter. On Wednesday, she was given time until 5 pm to appear, but she did not turn up, following which the warrant was issued.What Is The Case Against Mahua Moitra?The complaint was filed before the Krishnanagar court on June 17, 2026. According to police officials cited in the report, the case has been registered under Sections 79, 196, 299, 351 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The sections relate to allegations including insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious feelings, criminal intimidation and hate speech.West Bengal: TMC MP Mahua Moitra Writes To Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla After Alleging Forced Eviction From Nadia Circuit House The complaint relates to remarks allegedly made by Moitra in a video message that was circulated on social media. The complainant alleged that her comments were religiously provocative and hurt religious sentiments.Moitra has maintained that her remarks were made in a figurative context and has denied any intention to incite violence.With the arrest warrant now issued, the court has directed that an execution report be submitted by August 28.

The Krishnagar court also directed that an execution report of the arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra be submitted before it on August 28

Trouble for Mahua Moitra Bengal court issues arrest warrant in hate speech case

The Judge had on Tuesday (18 August) directed the TMC MP to appear before the court the next day, but noted that she was not present.