Supreme Court refuses to entertain Mahua Moitra's plea against appearing before police in hate speech case
The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a plea by TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who sought to avoid appearing in person before the police in a hate speech case. The court questioned her reluctance to face the investigation, noting her status as a public representative.
Why it matters
The ruling reinforces the principle that elected officials are subject to standard legal processes and police investigations regardless of their political position.
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 7, 2026) refused to entertain a plea by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra challenging an order of the Calcutta High Court directing her to appear before the police on August 15 in a hate speech case.
A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu said it was not inclined to interfere with the High Court order.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan, appearing for the MP, submitted that she has a legal right under law to appear virtually before the police.
"The requirement as per the police's notice is to be at the police station in my own constituency. Last time I went there two things happened. First there were threats that eggs will be thrown etc. and second time eggs were actually thrown," he said.
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