Mahua Moitra Seeks to Cancel FIR Over Tweet About NCW Chief Rekha Sharma

Mahua Moitra, a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has requested the Delhi High Court to cancel an FIR filed against her for a tweet about Rekha Sharma, the chief of the National Commission for Women (NCW). The tweet, related to a stampede incident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, was considered insulting.

During the hearing, the Delhi Police lawyer provided a copy of the FIR to Moitra’s legal team, which was not previously served. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, representing Mahua Moitra, informed the court that despite a written request, Moitra had not been provided with a copy of the FIR. The advocate for the Delhi Police also challenged the maintainability of Mahua Moitra’s plea.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna heard the matter and scheduled further arguments on the quashing of the FIR for November 6. Delhi Police recently registered an FIR under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for a tweet that was considered to insult modesty, related to a video involving the NCW Chief. The alleged tweet, targeting Sharma, was linked to a recent stampede incident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, where the NCW Chief’s staff was seen holding an umbrella over her. This provision typically deals with actions or comments that are perceived as insulting or offensive towards women’s modesty.

Earlier, NCW had taken suo motu cognizance of Moitra’s remarks and sought an FIR against her. On July 4, Moitra posted a video on X showing Sharma arriving at the site of a stampede in Hathras, which was later deleted.