You are in politics and fear eggs? Freedom fighters took bullets: Supreme Court refuses relief to Mahua Moitra

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's petition seeking directions to appear virtually before police in a case accusing her of uploading a provocative post on Facebook

A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu brushed off Moitra's concerns that eggs may be pelted on her in case she goes to the police station.

"You are a member of parliament? Having taken the plunge into politics, you fear eggs? When our freedom fighters have taken bullets on their chest? These are applications that should not come before this court at all," Justice Datta said.

In June, a case against Moitra was registered on a complaint lodged by a BJP leader over remarks made by her in two videos posted on social media, after supporters of the BJP allegedly gathered outside a court in Krishnanagar carrying eggs and tomatoes to throw at her.

Last month, the High Court granted interim protection to Moitra on her petition seeking quashing of the FIR. However, the Court directed her to appear before the investigating officer on August 14.

Today, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan representing Moitra before the top court submitted that a Facebook post led to the registration of a case against her.

He added that she should be permitted to appear before the Investigation Officer (IO) through video-conferencing (VC).

However, the Court questioned her prayer.

"Why virtually? Because you are an MP?," the Court asked.

Sankaranarayanan said that she was apprehending a mob attack in case she physically appears before the police.

"I have a legal right under law. The requirement as per the police 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.

However, the Court was not convinced with the submission and said Calcutta High Court has already told her to cooperate with the investigation agency.

"Read para 19 of the impugned order. You don’t appear. And then face the music before the High Court. If you are aggrieved, then come," it said.

Sankaranarayanan then sought withdrawal of the plea. Accordingly, the petition was dismissed as withdrawn.

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