A West Bengal court on Wednesday ordered that an arrest warrant be issued against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra for failing to appear before it in a case about purportedly provocative remarks she made in June, PTI reported.

A day earlier, the Krishnanagar court had directed Moitra to appear before it on Wednesday. But she was not present in the court.

The case pertains to a complaint filed in June by a Bharatiya Janata Party leader about remarks made by Moitra on social media. The complainant alleged that the remarks were capable of hurting religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony.

The purportedly provocative remarks were made in two posts by Moitra after women BJP supporters allegedly gathered outside the Krishnanagar court carrying eggs and tomatoes, to be thrown at her when she arrived there in connection with an old case.

In one post, Moitra had said that she would file a police complaint against the women. In a video, she said that those wanting to throw eggs at her “should wear a burqa” if they wish to stay hidden.

On Wednesday, the judge said that the “series of disobedience” of the repeated summonses showed the “lackadaisical approach” of Moitra to comply with the court order, PTI reported. The court said that it had been “left with no other option” but to issue a warrant of arrest against her.

The court also directed the authorities to submit a report on the execution of the warrant by August 28.

The lawyer appearing for Moitra said that the MP feared being heckled in the court premises.

On July 1, vegetables and eggs were thrown at a TMC office in Krishnanagar while Moitra was inside. She alleged that “goons” from the BJP were responsible.

On August 7, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain Moitra’s petition that she be allowed to appear virtually before the police.

Edited by Nachiket Deuskar.

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