Court restrains Mahua Moitra from calling Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal ‘vote chor’

A court in Alipore has restrained Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra from publishing or sharing allegedly defamatory statements against West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal over the deletion of voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The court has also directed Moitra to delete the posts identified by Agarwal as defamatory within 24 hours. The order specifically bars her from referring to the chief secretary as a “vote chor”, or vote thief, in connection with the controversy.

The court clarified that the restriction would not prevent fair criticism of the SIR exercise or any official decision related to it.

Court bars fresh posts and directs removal of existing content

In its interim order, the court restrained Moitra, her agents, servants and anyone acting on her behalf from newly publishing, posting, reposting, sharing or repeating allegedly defamatory statements against Agarwal on any platform.

The restriction covers statements connected with Moitra's first post dated October 3, 2026, and second post dated October 6, 2026. It also specifically refers to allegations that Agarwal was a “vote chor”, “committed every illegality”, was “singularly responsible” for illegally disenfranchising voters, or acted at the behest of a “maalik”.

The court's order states that the restrictions do not extend to fair criticism of the SIR process or official decisions.

Moitra has been given the liberty to file a written objection in the case initiated by Agarwal. She may also submit an appropriate application seeking discharge, variation or setting aside of the order.

Dispute over voter deletions and ₹10 crore defamation claim

The case stems from Moitra's posts on social media platform X, in which she called Agarwal a “vote chor” and accused him of illegally disenfranchising lakhs of voters during the SIR exercise. Agarwal had previously served as West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

On October 9, Agarwal issued a legal notice to the parliamentarian over the posts, seeking an unconditional apology and damages of ₹10 crore for alleged defamation. He subsequently approached the court.

The dispute centres on allegations made against Agarwal in connection with the electoral roll revision and the deletion of voters in West Bengal.

X may be asked to remove posts if Moitra does not comply

The court has permitted Agarwal to communicate the interim order to X for the removal of the posts if Moitra fails to delete them within the stipulated 24 hours.

The direction refers to Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, read with Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The order is an interim measure, and the allegations have not been finally adjudicated. The court has allowed Moitra to contest the matter and seek a modification or cancellation of the injunction.

The case is scheduled to be heard next on January 5, 2027.