Supreme Court seeks Centre and Bengal responses to Mahua Moitra petition

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Union government and West Bengal to a petition by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who alleges that authorities and politically backed groups have obstructed her work in the Krishnanagar constituency. A Bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for both governments, to file counter-affidavits.

The court’s order came after submissions by Ms. Moitra’s lawyers. The MP’s petition says the political change in West Bengal in May 2026, when the Bharatiya Janata Party formed the State government and the TMC moved into opposition, had erased the distinction between the ruling party and the administration.

Ms. Moitra alleges that civil and police authorities were encouraged to exclude her because of her political affiliation. She says officials and police failed to support her visits to inspect projects under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme and that development work had been held up.

The petition also alleges that she was prevented from holding public meetings, faced attacks by BJP-linked mobs and was subject to multiple first information reports. It further claims that complaints about threats and alleged assaults received no response, and that some individuals had publicly called for her assassination. Ms.

Moitra argues that preventing an elected parliamentarian from carrying out constituency duties amounts to a serious challenge to the federal principle. She says she is willing to face political opponents but cannot perform her duties independently while facing continuing threats from political rivals and allegedly collusive State officials. The allegations in the petition have not been adjudicated by the Supreme Court.

The Union government and West Bengal are to present their responses before the proceedings continue.