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Published 13 days ago • loading... • Updated 13 days ago
SC Rejects Mahua Moitra's Plea over Police Appearance in Hate Speech Case
Her lawyer withdrew the challenge after the bench said it would not interfere with the high court order.
On Friday, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra challenging a Calcutta High Court order directing her to appear before police on August 15 in a hate speech case.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya previously ordered Moitra to appear before the investigating officer at the Hogolberia police station in Nadia, while granting interim protection from coercive action until October 5 subject to her cooperation.
During the hearing, Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu questioned Moitra's virtual appearance request, with the Bench asking, "You are a Member of Parliament. Having taken the plunge into politics, you fear eggs?"
Senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan, appearing for Moitra, argued she had a legal right to appear virtually; as the Bench remained unwilling to interfere, counsel withdrew the plea, which was dismissed as withdrawn.
The court noted that Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions applied to the case carry a maximum punishment below seven years, entitling Moitra to protection from coercive action contingent on her compliance with police notices.