Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has asserted that the Lok Sabha ethics committee does not possess the authority to investigate allegations of criminality. Moitra released her written response to the committee, which she was scheduled to present in person. She expressed her disappointment with the committee for leaking her summons to the media. In a letter addressed to committee chairperson Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Moitra claimed that the absence of investigative powers was intentionally designed by the nation’s founders to prevent misuse of committees by the government.
Moitra also reiterated her demand to cross-examine businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who alleged that she used parliamentary questions provided by him and allowed him to use her login ID and password to post questions from Dubai. If proven, this breach of privilege could lead to her suspension from parliament. Moitra stated that the parliamentary ethics committee may not be the appropriate forum to investigate criminal allegations. She emphasized that only law enforcement agencies possess the jurisdiction for such investigations.
Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, whose complaint to the Central Bureau of Investigation sparked the case, was questioned by the ethics committee on October 26. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who spearheaded the call for an investigation into Moitra’s actions, was also given an opportunity to explain his allegations.
Moitra, known for her criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, is scheduled to appear before the ethics committee. She urged the committee to ensure impartiality and avoid political biases in their proceedings. Additionally, she highlighted the lack of a code of conduct for members and the committee’s inactivity over the past two years. Moitra urged for objective and fair treatment of each case due to the absence of a structured code of conduct.
The ethics committee is expected to provide a report to the Lok Sabha Speaker in a timely manner. This process is reminiscent of the Pawan Bansal committee, which delivered its report within two weeks in December 2005 during the cash-for-questions scam under the United Progressive Alliance government.
