Calcutta High Court Adjourns Hearing On TMC MP Mahua Moitra's Plea Against Alleged Egg Pelting, Mob Attack

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday adjourned a hearing on Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's plea after she was allegedly attacked by a mob during a political programme at Kaliganj in Nadia district.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharya adjourned the hearing after being told that the petitioner's had not served notice on the office of the government pleader, and thus no counsel was appearing in the matter representing the state. Moitra was represented by Senior Advocate Ayan Bhattacharya.

Noting these submissions, the court adjourned the plea to be heard on Monday 21st July.

According to her petition, a crowd allegedly surrounded the venue, hurled eggs, mud, stones and other objects, forcing her to remain inside a party office for several hours while the police allegedly failed to provide adequate protection.

The matter was first mentioned before Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, who permitted the petition to be filed. However, when the case was mentioned again seeking an urgent hearing, the Court declined to accord urgency. Justice Bhattacharyya observed that the Court was receiving a large number of similar petitions and remarked, "Such cases are being filed in gallons," directing that the matter would be taken up in the regular course.

Moitra's plea seeks judicial intervention to ensure her safety and protection while discharging her political duties, contending that the alleged attack and the failure of the authorities to prevent it infringed her fundamental rights. She has also sought appropriate directions to the State authorities to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

Case: Mahua Moitra v State of West Bengal