Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. File
| Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 7, 2026) refused to entertain a plea by Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra challenging a Calcutta High Court order directing her to appear before the police in a case involving a purported inflammatory social media post.
Referring to Ms. Moitra, the top court remarked, “freedom fighters faced bullets, and you fear eggs?” after the parliamentarian expressed concerns about her safety if she appeared personally before the police for questioning.
The oral remark from Justice Dipankar Datta came during the hearing of a plea by Ms. Moitra seeking permission to appear virtually before the investigating officer.
Appearing for Ms. Moitra, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said his client first received threats that eggs would be thrown at her if she visited the police station located in her constituency.
The second time, the senior advocate said, eggs were “really thrown”.
Mr. Sankaranarayanan said the law did not require women to come to the police station for questioning. Hence, he said his client was ready to appear virtually.
Justice Datta said Ms. Moitra was a politician. She was an elected Member of Parliament. “You are an MP? Having taken the plunge into politics, you fear eggs when our freedom fighters faced bullets?” Justice Datta asked.
Mr. Sankaranarayanan asked the court for permission to withdraw the petition, which was given.
The Calcutta High Court had given Ms. Moitra protection from arrest and asked her to appear before the investigating officer on August 14. The court had also directed the West Bengal Police to ensure her safety.
Published – August 07, 2026 01:10 pm IST
