The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday (October 14) permitted Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra to implead the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in her plea seeking enhanced security cover, after her counsel disputed the West Bengal government's submission that she was already being provided a personal security officer (PSO) round the clock, as claimed by the state.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya was hearing Moitra's plea seeking enhanced security in view of alleged incidents of mob attacks and egg-pelting during her visits to her Krishnanagar constituency.

Appearing for the State government, Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar submitted a Memorandum issued by the Director of Security, Government of West Bengal, stating that Moitra, being a Member of Parliament, was entitled to X-category security. The security cover included one armed PSO who was to accompany her round the clock. It was stated that such a PSO had already been provided to her.

Moitra's counsel, however, disputed the State's submission and contended that the PSO was not accompanying her as required.

"The PSO may have been allotted, but not reached to me. The PSO has not travelled with me. So there has to be a direction to that effect," her counsel submitted.

Justice Bhattacharyya observed that Moitra would have to demonstrate why she required an enhanced security cover beyond the protection prescribed under the applicable norms.

The Court indicated that if a PSO had been allotted but was not accompanying her, the issue could be addressed by directing the concerned authorities to change the officer. Moitra's counsel maintained that she would place her objection to the State's report on record through a supplementary affidavit.

The Court permitted Moitra to file a supplementary affidavit responding to the State government's report and allowed her to implead the Union Ministry of Home Affairs as a party to the proceedings.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 2.