Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday approached the Delhi High Court seeking action against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai over alleged defamatory posts targeting her on social media.
In her interim application filed as part of a pending defamation suit, Moitra requested the court to direct Dubey and Dehadrai to take down the contentious posts, which she claims are defamatory and based on unsubstantiated allegations. The posts in question include a Facebook post by Dubey and a tweet by Dehadrai on X (formerly Twitter), both of which relate to an ongoing CBI case and a previous Lokpal complaint involving Moitra.
Justice Manmeet PS Arora, hearing the plea, asked Dubey’s counsel to obtain instructions from the MP on whether he was willing to deactivate the post temporarily. Noting that Dubey’s post referred to a Lokpal judgment, the court observed that “prima facie, this document does not support your allegations (against Moitra). Until then, you please deactivate this (post).”
Dubey’s counsel, however, said the post was based on findings from the Lokpal in response to his complaint. He also claimed that Moitra had repeatedly used objectionable language against Dubey on social media. In response, the court stated that anyone aggrieved by abusive content could approach the relevant social media platform or seek judicial relief.
The court posted the matter for further hearing on May 9, after Dubey’s counsel was unable to get immediate instructions from the MP.
The original defamation suit was filed by Moitra in 2023, after Dubey publicly accused her of accepting bribes from Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of the Hiranandani Group, in exchange for raising specific questions in Parliament. These claims were reportedly based on a letter from advocate Dehadrai, which Dubey described as containing “irrefutable” evidence. The controversy ultimately led to Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha on December 8, 2023, following a recommendation by the Ethics Committee.
Moitra has now sought a court order restraining both Dubey and Dehadrai from publishing or posting any further defamatory content, along with a public apology. The case continues to draw significant public and political attention, given its implications on parliamentary conduct and freedom of expression.
