Kolkata: A civil court in Alipore, South 24 Parganas, has passed an interim injunction directing Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra to remove two posts from her X account, @MahuaMoitra, within 24 hours of receiving the order, including by email.
According to the order, the posts in question were published on October 3 and October 6, 2026. The court directed Moitra, her agents and others acting on her behalf to refrain from newly publishing, posting, reposting, sharing or repeating the alleged defamatory statements against the plaintiff on any platform.
The order specifically refers to allegations describing the plaintiff as a “Vote Chor”, claiming that he “committed every illegality”, and accusing him of being “singularly responsible” for illegally disenfranchising voters. It also mentions statements alleging that the plaintiff acted at the behest of a “maalik”.
कोलकाता के न्यायालय ने वोट चोरी के सभी ट्वीट जो सांसद महुआ मोइत्रा जी ने किया उसे 24 घंटे के अंदर हटाने का आदेश दिया । https://t.co/IfWGmqnrmj
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) October 14, 2026
Court clarifies that criticism of SIR is not barred
The court clarified that its directions would not prevent fair criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls or of any official decision.
The interim order is limited to the statements identified in the proceedings and does not impose a blanket prohibition on criticism of the electoral-roll revision exercise.
The court stated that the directions were based on a prima facie assessment for the purpose of deciding the interim application. It also clarified that its observations would not bind the court during the subsequent hearing of the application or at trial.
Plaintiff can approach X if posts are not removed
The order states that if Moitra fails to remove the two posts within the stipulated period, the plaintiff may communicate the order to X Corp. and its grievance officer for action under the applicable provisions of the Information Technology Rules, 2021, read with Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The court also directed the plaintiff to serve copies of the plaint, application, supporting documents and order on the defendant through registered post with acknowledgment due or speed post at the addresses mentioned in the case.
Moitra has been given the liberty to file a written objection along with the supporting material on which she relies. The order also permits her to apply for its discharge, variation or setting aside under Order XXXIX Rule 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Next hearing scheduled for January 5, 2027
The court directed that the interim order remain in force until further orders, subject to the date specified in the order. It fixed January 5, 2027, for the service return, written objection and hearing of the application for a temporary injunction.
The order concerns an interim injunction and does not constitute a final determination of the allegations or the underlying dispute.
