Mahua Moitra Booked under section79 of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

The Delhi Police has filed an FIR against TMC MP Mahua Moitra under Section 79 of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaces the Indian Penal Code

The FIR on Mahua Moitra, lodged by the particular cell of the Delhi Police, follows a complaint by National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma. The complaint pertains to a “derogatory” social media post by Moitra on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter). Moitra’s comment responded to a video showing Sharma at the stampede site in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras, which depicted a man holding an umbrella behind Sharma. The controversial post, which included a “pajamas” reference, has since been deleted. Sharma also wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking appropriate action against Moitra. Despite the backlash and the filing of the FIR, Moitra remains defiant, urging the Delhi Police via social media to act quickly, even as she was in West Bengal’s Nadia at the time.

Mahua Moitra’s actions have sparked significant controversy, leading to a broader discussion about the limits of social media discourse and the appropriate responses to perceived derogatory comments. This incident follows Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha last year after an Ethics Committee report accused her of ‘cash-for-query’ charges. She was alleged to have accepted bribes, including Rs 2 crore in cash and luxury gifts, from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking critical questions about the Modi government in Parliament. Ongoing investigations continue to probe these allegations. This case illustrates India’s evolving legal and ethical standards, particularly concerning social media behavior and political accountability. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the authorities will handle this high-profile incident and what precedents it may set for future cases.