Delhi Police files FIR against TMC MP Mahua Moitra based on NCW complaint

On Friday, NCW had filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against TMC MP and sought action against her for making objectionanble remark against Rekha Sharma.

Mahua Moitra (L), Rekha Sharma

Credit: PTI File Photos

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Sunday filed a case against TMC's Krishnanagar MP, Mahua Moitra, based on a complaint filed by the National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma, for allegedly using “derogatory” words against her in a post on X. 

On Friday, Sharma had written to Commissioner of Police Sanjay Arora complaining against the post. “The National Commission for Women has taken suo moto cognizance of the derogatory remarks made by Ms. Mahua Moitra, Member of Parliament, about Ms. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, NCW, an apex Statutory Body established by the Government of India, for the protection and promotion of the welfare of women rights. The crude remarks made by Ms. Moitra, are extremely outrageous and a sheer violation of a women’s right to live with dignity,” the complaint read. 

On Sunday, the Delhi Police said that it had received a complaint from the Commision, which alleged that “a purported repost of a tweet (on social media platform X), by Ms Mohua Mitra, MP, has committed the offence under section 79, BNS - 2023”.

“Taking cognizance of the complaint and after preliminary examination of its contents, a case FIR under section 79, BNS - 2023 has been registered at PS Spl. Cell and investigation has been taken up,” the Delhi Police said. Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 penalises words, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

In a post on X, Moitra made a comment on Sharma after a video emerged where the NCW chief was going to investigate the Hathras tragedy but a helper was carrying her umbrella. Many users criticised Sharma for not using the umbrella herself, and Mahua commented with a comment which has since been deleted.

The Commission has also sent a similar complaint to Lok Sabha Speaker urging him to take action against Moitra. “The remarks made by Ms. Moitra, are condemnable in strongest possible words and being a Member of Parliament, it is unbecoming of her stature. I, therefore, urge you to look into the matter and take appropriate action against Ms. Mahua. A reply in the matter is solicited,” Sharma’s letter to Birla read.