Parliamentary ethics panel recommends Mahua Moitra's expulsion from Lok Sabha
What's the story
The Parliamentary Ethics Committee on Friday recommended the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha over the purported cash-for-query case, reported ANI. The motion to disqualify Moitra from the House triggered a heated discussion after she was not allowed to speak. Fellow TMC MPs called it unfair, batting for the fundamental right of an accused to defend themselves.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The cash-for-query controversy started after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey claimed that the TMC MP took bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to ask questions in Parliament, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Adani Group. If the Lok Sabha adopts the ethics committee's report, Moitra will be disqualified as an MP and barred from contesting in the Lok Sabha elections next year.
Information
Report recommends government investigation into the matter
The panel's report recommended her disqualification from the Lok Sabha, saying that Moitra's serious misdemeanors call for severe punishment. It also advocated for the government to launch an investigation into her "highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct."
Details
Motion to be passed after debate over report
The report was tabled before the House by BJP MP Vijay Sonkar, who headed the inquiry panel. Soon after the report was furnished, a ruckus erupted in the Lok Sabha, prompting it to be adjourned for two hours. A debate concerning the report will be conducted in the House by opposition MPs, including Moitra, based on which a motion will be passed.
Report
Hiranandani asked Moitra to bring down Adani no matter what
The report said that Hiranandani's personal assistant sent a detailed dossier on the Adani Group to Moitra in 2019. Hiranandani then called Moitra, asking her to "bring down Adani no matter what." It said he seemed extremely agitated at the loss of a large energy-related contract in West Bengal with a French energy corporation to the Adani Group.
Contract
Hindenburg report drew from Moitra's complaints against Adani Group: Report
The report further said that Hiranandani asked Moitra to target the Adani Group "to the point of embarrassment," which would have then allowed him to pressure the government into restoring the contracts to him. It said the Hindenburg report, which accused the Adani Group of committing the largest corporate fraud ever, contained direct references from the complaints filed by Moitra against the conglomerate.
Complaint
Complaints based on allegations by Moitra's estranged partner
Dubey's complaints were based on the documents furnished by Moitra's former partner, Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, whom she has termed a "jilted ex". Moitra admitted to sharing her Digital Sansad account credentials with Hiranandani for posting questions but denied receiving any monetary benefits. She denounced the inquiry panel's line of questioning as disrespectful, along with opposition MPs who attended the hearing.