Arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra for not honouring court summons in hate speech case

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

Published - August 19, 2026 05:58 pm IST - Kalyani, West Bengal

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 West Bengal's Nadia district on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra for non-compliance with its order for her appearance in an alleged hate speech case.

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

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.

Noting that she had failed to appear despite repeated summonses, the 3rd judicial magistrate at the Krishnanagar Court ordered that an arrest warrant be issued against Ms. Moitra immediately.

The Judge had on Tuesday (August 18, 2026) directed the TMC MP to appear before the court the next day, but noted that she was not present.

"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 Moitra said she would not appear before the court at any point of time, holding that she has "No respect for the court of law".

The lawyer for the MP expressed apprehension to the court that she might be heckled outside the court premises if she appeared.

A top official of Krishnanagar police district said the complaint case was under sections 79 (insulting modesty of woman), section 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 299 (outraging religious feelings, 351 (criminal intimidation) and 353(2) (hate speech) was filed against her.

Published - August 19, 2026 05:58 pm IST

Bengal / All India Trinamool Congress

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