The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, which has been investigating the “cash-for-query” allegations against TMC MP Mahua Moitra, is said to have recommended her expulsion from the Lower House of Parliament on the grounds of “unethical conduct” that could impact national security.
The committee, chaired by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, is set to meet later today to adopt its draft report, a decision that is expected to face strong opposition from members of the panel who belong to the opposition.
In its assessment, the committee strongly criticized Moitra, accusing her of sharing her parliamentary log-in credentials with a businessman, deeming her actions as “highly objectionable, unethical, heinous, and criminal.” It has also called for a time-bound legal and institutional inquiry by the government to investigate the alleged money trail between Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani as part of a quid-pro-quo arrangement.
Furthermore, the committee recommended admonishing BSP MP Danish Ali, a vocal opposition member, for allegedly “twisting” the intent of the questions asked by Sonkar during the last hearing on November 2.
The allegations against Moitra originated from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who accused her of using her parliamentary questions to target the Adani Group on behalf of businessman Hiranandani in exchange for bribes and gifts. He had filed a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
The 15-member committee comprises seven BJP members, three from the Congress, and one each from the BSP, the Shiv Sena, the YSRCP, the CPI(M), and the JD(U). During the November 2 meeting, all five opposition members in attendance walked out, claiming that Sonkar had asked personal and indecent questions about Moitra’s travels, hotel stays, and telephone calls.
In a separate development, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey revealed that the Lokpal has ordered a CBI probe against Moitra based on his complaint of alleged corruption. In response, Moitra challenged the CBI to first file an FIR in the Rs 13,000-crore Adani coal “scam” and raised concerns about national security related to foreign portfolio investors (FPI), including Chinese and UAE-owned Adani firms purchasing Indian ports and airports. She suggested that the CBI should investigate those matters as well.
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