The Calcutta High Court has directed that the Union Home Ministry be added as a party to a case concerning the security of Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra, after allegations that she has repeatedly faced attacks and harassment in her constituency. The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 2 and directed that the ministry be formally included in the case by Thursday.
The case relates to Moitra’s request for additional police protection in Krishnanagar. According to the report, she has alleged that she was targeted in repeated egg attacks and faced harassment while travelling by car. She has also alleged that some of these incidents took place in the presence of police personnel.
Moitra had earlier approached the High Court seeking security in her Lok Sabha constituency. The court had previously directed that police protection be provided to her. The latest hearing followed her claim that incidents continued despite that order and that she required round-the-clock protection.
During the proceedings, the court sought the West Bengal government’s position and asked for information on the rules governing security arrangements for Members of Parliament. The state submitted a report to the court on Wednesday, according to the report.
The state’s counsel told the court that Moitra was already receiving security under the rules of the Union Home Ministry. The state also said that the protection was being provided in accordance with the Yellow Book and that she had been assigned X-category security.
The MP’s lawyer, however, argued that the existing arrangement was not sufficient. The lawyer said that although Moitra had a personal security officer, the officer was not present with her at all times. The counsel cited the repeated alleged attacks while seeking additional protection and argued that the Union Home Ministry would be able to provide information on the applicable security arrangements.
The court’s decision to add the Home Ministry brings the central security framework directly into the proceedings. The Yellow Book sets out guidelines used by the authorities while assessing and providing security to individuals, although the report does not specify what further arrangement, if any, the ministry may recommend in this case.
The High Court has directed that the Home Ministry be added to the case by Thursday. The matter is listed for its next hearing on December 2.
