Mahua Moitra wants interim relief on Circuit House accommodation before her Krishnanagar visit ahead of Durga Puja; the Solicitor General wants time to reply and has offered to make a statement on Friday, the Supreme Court heard in her MPLADS obstruction plea.
New Delhi: Present in the Supreme Court on Thursday, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra pressed for interim relief in her writ petition alleging that the West Bengal government is obstructing work under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in her Krishnanagar constituency, before the festival begins. The Solicitor General asked for time to file a reply [Mahua Moitra’s writ petition on MPLADS work in Krishnanagar].
The matter was heard by CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared for Moitra, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the respondents.
Relief sought before Durga Puja
Citing concerns about accommodation at the Circuit House when Moitra visits her constituency, Sankaranarayanan asked the Bench to grant interim relief before Durga Puja. Mehta sought time until next week to file the reply.
The Solicitor General’s response
Moitra’s counsel responded to the request for an adjournment, and Mehta said:
“If it’s to be sensationalized, I will file overnight. This is the second day.”
Replying to Sankaranarayanan, he added: “What is as usual about adjournments?”
A question from the Bench, and a request to list tomorrow
Justice Bagchi wanted to know what arrangements would be needed if Moitra wished to visit her constituency. The Solicitor General then asked the Bench to list the matter the next day, saying:
“Kindly keep tomorrow, I will make statement. 800 MPs will have problem…”
The order passed at the end of the hearing is not yet available.
The petition so far
According to the writ petition, the State has obstructed MPLADS work in Krishnanagar. At the first hearing, at the end of September, the Court allowed the Union and the State of West Bengal time to file counter affidavits, and the Solicitor General objected to the maintainability of the plea. Justice Bagchi had then pointed to a September 1 letter that asks a Member of Parliament to give three days’ notice before visiting the Circuit House.
Moitra has also sought security before the Calcutta High Court in a separate proceeding. The State has told that Court that an MP is entitled to one Personal Security Officer around the clock, a position her counsel disputes.
ALSO READ: Calcutta High Court: West Bengal Says Mahua Moitra Entitled To One PSO, MP Disputes Security Claim
The allegations in the petition are Moitra’s and have not been adjudicated. The State’s reply is yet to be filed, and the Court has expressed no view on the merits.
Case: Writ petition by Mahua Moitra on MPLADS work in Krishnanagar (cause title and case number not reported)
Bench: CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
Date of Hearing: October 15, 2026
Appearances: Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan for the petitioner; Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the respondents