Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra is set to face questioning by the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha tomorrow in relation to a cash for query case. The committee has received reports from three Union ministries – Home, Information Technology, and External Affairs – and will be questioning Moitra based on the information contained in these reports. The committee had requested information from the ministries during a meeting held on October 26, specifically focusing on whether Moitra’s IP addresses and locations matched up.
The Ethics Committee’s investigation has been further supported by an affidavit from businessman Darshan Hiranandani. While he did not address the cash-for-query issue, Hiranandani admitted to posting questions on Moitra’s parliamentary login. If this is proven to be true, it would constitute a breach of parliamentary privilege and could lead to Moitra’s expulsion from the House.
In the affidavit, Hiranandani stated that he provided gifts to Moitra in order to assist her in politically targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Adani Group. Moitra has requested the opportunity to cross-examine Hiranandani, emphasizing this in a letter to the Ethics Committee.
Moitra has expressed doubts about the Ethics Committee’s ability to examine allegations of alleged criminality, suggesting that a parliamentary ethics committee may not be the appropriate forum for such matters. She argued that the committee lacks the power to investigate criminal allegations, a deliberate choice made by the nation’s founders to prevent misuse of committees by governments with a majority in parliament.
Nishikant Dubey of the BJP, who lodged the initial allegations being investigated by the Ethics Committee, accused Moitra of serious breach of privilege, contempt of the House, and conspiracy – a criminal offense under Section 120A of the Indian Penal Code. Moitra also raised concerns about the lack of a code of conduct for MPs and urged the committee to ensure that political partisanship does not influence its functioning.
Dubey highlighted media reports suggesting that questions were asked 47 times in the Lok Sabha from Hiranandani’s email ID and MP portal in Dubai. He called for all MPs to stand against Moitra’s alleged corruption and questioned whether MPs are meant to serve the selfish interests of capitalists.
The Ethics Committee has already cross-examined Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, who filed the complaint that prompted the investigation. The committee has also heard from Dubey and is expected to submit its report to the Speaker soon.
