Police file FIR against TMC MP Mahua Moitra for derogatory social media post on NCW chief Rekha Sharma

The Delhi Police on Sunday (July 7) filed an FIR against Trinamool Congress (TMC) Mahua Moitra over her derogatory social media post on National Commission for Women (NCW) Chief Rekha Sharma.

A report by The Indian Express said that Moitra has been bookedunder Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to work, gesture or act intending to outrage the modesty of a woman.

The report said that earlier, the NCW took suomoto cognisance of Moitra’s remarks and sought an FIR against her.

The social media post

The backlash against Moitra began when she commented on a post of Sharma visiting the site of a stampede in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras that killed 121 people.

The post, which the TMC MP shared on X, showeda man holding an umbrella and walking behind Sharma. Moitra took a jibe at the NCW chiefand responded to a question about why she could not carry her own umbrella.

"Why can’t these people carry their own umbrellas?! What sick privilege is this?," a user on X asked to which Moitra responded, "She's too busy holding up her boss's pajamas."

NCW hits out at Moitra

Moitra's post, which has now been deleted, garnered mixed reactions on X. Some users found her remarks right while some criticised them.

Hitting out at the TMC MP, the NCW said, "The crude remarks are outrageous and a violation of a woman's right to dignity. The Commission observed that this remark attracts Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023."

"NCW strongly condemns these defamatory remarks and requests strict action against MsMoitra," the commission wrote on X.

(With inputs from agencies)