A case was filed against Ms. Moitra alleging that she insulted women and made hate speech, for which a pre-cognisance summons were issued to her by the court. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

A court in Nadia district’s Krishnanagar on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) directed the issuance of an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra for allegedly making statements that hurt religious sentiments. 

“Five women made a petition to the third judicial magistrate’s court on June 12 that Ms. Moitra made a derogatory statement that hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. Subsequently, she did not appear in the court despite being summoned multiple times. As per the court’s order (of Wednesday), we have officially issued it (an arrest warrant) today (Wednesday),” Krishnanagar Superintendent of Police Atul V. said. 

The case, lodged at Nadia’s Ghurmi police station, pertains to Sections 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman), 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 299 (outraging religious feelings), 351 (criminal intimidation), 353(2) (hate speech) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to the police. 

Ms. Moitra, a politically and socially influential person, made statements and comments against the Union Home Minister, personnel of the Indian armed forces, and certain religious beliefs and symbols revered by members of the Hindu community on different occasions, according to the petition made to the court on June 12, 2026.

“The accused allegedly made objectionable and derogatory remarks concerning the tulsi mala, which is considered sacred and is worn with religious faith and devotion by a large number of Hindu devotees throughout the country,” a copy of the petition, available with The Hindu, said. 

The court thereafter summoned her multiple times in connection with the case but she did not appear before it. Meanwhile, the complainants came across various media reports and public statements, allegedly made by the accused, threatening legal action against the persons protesting against her, which created fear and apprehension in the minds of the complainants, the petitioners later said.

Following these developments, the court directed the police to issue the arrest warrant. 

“The series of disobedience of the order of this court …. goes to show the lackadaisical approach of the accused to comply with the court order and accordingly, this court is left with no other option but to issue a warrant of arrest against her,” the court said.

The judge noted in his order that the lawyer representing Ms. Moitra had said she would not appear before the court at any point of time, and thus concluded that she has “no respect for the court of law”.

Ms. Moitra’s counsel expressed apprehension to the court that the MP might be heckled outside the court premises if she appeared.

Published – August 19, 2026 05:58 pm IST