Overview
- A Krishnanagar (Nadia) court ordered an arrest warrant for Mahua Moitra on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, after the MP failed to obey multiple summonses in a complaint alleging hate speech and insulting remarks.
- The 3rd Judicial Magistrate said repeated non‑appearance showed a “lackadaisical approach” to court orders and directed police to submit an execution report on the warrant by August 28, 2026.
- The complaint, filed on June 17, 2026, accuses Moitra of comments that could hurt religious sentiments and of insulting women and includes charges under sections relating to insulting modesty, promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious feelings, criminal intimidation and hate speech.
- Moitra’s lawyer told the court she would not appear in person because of fears she could be heckled outside the court after prior incidents such as eggs and vegetables being thrown; earlier requests for virtual appearance were reportedly declined by higher courts.
- The order is a procedural escalation at the complaint stage and does not imply guilt; the next concrete step is the police execution report, and the case is unfolding against a backdrop of sharp local political tensions between the TMC and BJP.