New Delhi: In a significant legal setback for Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, the Supreme Court has dismissed her plea seeking permission to appear virtually before the police in a hate speech case. During the hearing on Friday, the top court delivered a sharp rebuke, questioning why a politician should fear eggs being thrown at them when freedom fighters bravely took bullets to their chests.
A division bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu made the strong oral observations while refusing to interfere with a previous order passed by the Calcutta High Court. The High Court had directed the Krishnanagar MP to physically present herself before the investigating officer on August 14.
Appearing for Moitra, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that his client should be allowed to join the investigation through video conferencing due to serious safety concerns. He informed the court that during a previous visit to the police station in her constituency, Moitra faced hostility, with threats of an egg attack that eventually materialized into actual egg pelting by a mob.
The Supreme Court bench remained unconvinced by the safety argument. Justice Datta pointedly asked the counsel if the request for a virtual appearance was being made simply because the petitioner is an elected parliamentarian. The bench then remarked that individuals who take the plunge into politics should not fear eggs, especially when the freedom fighters of the nation faced bullets. The court further stated that such applications should not even be brought before it.
The case stems from a First Information Report registered against Moitra following a complaint by a local political leader. The complaint alleged that comments made by the TMC leader in two social media videos posted in June had hurt religious sentiments. The Calcutta High Court had earlier granted her interim protection from any coercive police action until October 5, but strictly on the condition that she cooperates with the ongoing investigation and appears in person for questioning.
Sensing the clear reluctance of the Supreme Court to grant any relief, the senior advocate chose to withdraw the petition. The court officially dismissed the plea as withdrawn, meaning the TMC lawmaker must now comply with the High Court directive and physically appear before the investigating authorities next week.