Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra files defamation case against Zee News’ Sudhir Chaudhary

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has filed a criminal defamation case against Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary for alleging that her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha on June 25 on the 'Seven Signs of Fascism' had been plagiarised.

Metropolitan Magistrate Preeti Parewa took cognisance of the complaint and listed the matter for July 20, when Moitra's statement would be recorded.

The advocate representing the MP told the court that her speech was inspired by a holocaust poster in a United States museum, containing 14 signs of early fascism.

The counsel added that Moitra had "clearly attributed" the source as she stated that the signs were taken from the said poster.

However, Chaudhary had run a broadcast stating that Mahua Moitra had plagiarised her "hate-filled speech" delivered in Parliament, the counsel said.

Further, in a tweet Chaudhary attributed the ‘Signs of Fascism’ to an American author Martin Longman, and alleged that the Trinamool MP had “stolen” the text “word by word”. He said that Parliament’s dignity was in jeopardy.

However, Martin Longman to whom the words were attributed, poked fun at Chaudhary’s and others’ apparent lack of knowledge. He said that the words were not his own.

Reacting to the development on Monday, Sudhir Chaudhary said that his freedom of expression was being stifled.

Moitra had earlier submitted a breach of privilege motion against Chaudhary. However, it was rejected by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.