The Calcutta High Court has stayed the execution of an arrest warrant issued against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in connection with a criminal complaint arising from remarks she allegedly made about women who had gathered outside a court carrying eggs and tomatoes.
The Division Bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Aryak Dutt, while hearing Moitra’s criminal revisional petition on August 24, directed that the police shall not execute the warrant of arrest issued against her on August 19, 2026, until September 30, 2026, or until further orders.
The controversy arose after women allegedly gathered outside the court in connection with proceedings involving Moitra. According to the reports, she subsequently remarked that those seeking to throw eggs at her should “wear a burqa” if they wanted to conceal their identity.
Consequently, an FIR was lodged under Sections 79, 196, 299, 351 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. In the High Court, Moitra has sought quashing of the criminal proceedings. Before the High Court, counsel for Moitra submitted that an “unfortunate incident” had taken place on June 12, 2026, following which she had lodged a complaint on June 16 against the concerned persons; however, the police had not taken action on her complaint.
Counsel further submitted that a July 18 resolution of the Bar Association had prevented Moitra from participating in the complaint case. The petition also challenged the jurisdiction of the court where the complaint was pending, with counsel submitting that the court was without jurisdiction.
The High Court noted that an order dated August 19 had resulted in the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Moitra. At this stage, the Bench specifically observed that the issue concerning the jurisdiction of the court which directed issuance of the arrest warrant “requires consideration.”
Since the opposite parties had not yet been served, the Bench directed that the revisional application be listed on August 27, 2026. The State was directed to serve opposite parties 2 to 6 with a copy of the petition.
In the interim, the Court ordered that the police shall not execute the August 19 arrest warrant against Moitra until September 30, 2026, or until further orders.
