Bengal court issues arrest warrant for TMC MP in hate speech case

A court in West Bengal's Nadia district issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra after she repeatedly failed to appear in a case involving allegations of hate speech and making derogatory remarks against women, the Indian Army, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Krishnanagar District and Sessions Court ordered the warrant and directed police to submit an execution report by August 28.

The legal action stems from a complaint filed by Krishnanagar resident Chayan Nandi on June 17, 2026. The complaint alleged that Moitra, the MP for Krishnanagar, made objectionable statements on June 12. These statements reportedly included comments against Home Minister Amit Shah and the Indian Army, as well as remarks concerning women wearing religious attire, which allegedly insulted the modesty of women and hurt religious sentiments. The case invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, including those for insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious feelings, criminal intimidation, and hate speech.

Despite being summoned multiple times by the...