The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra challenging an order directing her to vacate a Circuit House in Nadia, West Bengal.
Appearing for Moitra, her counsel told the Supreme Court that the local administration issued the eviction order at around 10.50 PM. He urged Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to list the matter at the earliest, arguing that it involved important questions of federalism and warranted an independent investigation.
The plea did not find favour with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. When Moitra’s counsel sought an early listing, arguing that the matter raised important questions of federalism and called for an independent investigation, the CJI said, “Please keep it to yourself; we are not going to entertain.”
Moitra’s plea challenges an eviction order issued by the Nadia district administration, which she alleges was served late at night despite protection granted to her by the Calcutta High Court.
The controversy began on August 14, when Moitra claimed that the Nadia District Collector had ordered her to vacate the Circuit House late at night, where she generally stays during visits to her constituency.
According to Moitra, she entered the Circuit House at around 6.30 PM and was served dinner at 9.20 PM. At 9.47 PM, she allegedly received a phone call asking her to leave, followed by a copy of the eviction order at 10.50 PM.
Moitra also alleged that a crowd had gathered outside the Circuit House, chanting “Jai Shri Ram”. She subsequently said that she had refused to leave, declaring that she would not back down.
The TMC MP has previously raised concerns about alleged mob intimidation. Last month, she had approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to appear virtually before the police in connection with a case, citing apprehensions of a possible mob attack.
The Supreme Court had rejected that request, with the bench observing: “Having taken the plunge into politics, why do you fear eggs [being thrown on you]? Our freedom fighters took bullets on their chest.”
