An Ethics Committee meeting of the Lok Sabha took a heated turn as it addressed the allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who is accused of being involved in cash-for-query charges raised by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. The session, scheduled for October 31, saw sparks fly as opposing parties clashed over the proceedings.
Contentious Meeting
At the outset of the committee’s meeting, Opposition MPs refused to allow Nishikant Dubey, the complainant, and Jai Anant Dehadrai, an advocate and Ms. Moitra’s former partner, to provide their testimony. The tensions rose when Mr. Dehadrai entered the meeting room. BSP MP Danish Ali expressed concerns about the inconsistent standards being applied by the Ethics Committee and the Privilege Committee.
In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Mr. Ali highlighted the Privilege Committee’s summoning of defendant Mr. Ramesh Bidhuri before him, the complainant. In contrast, the Ethics Committee decided to call the complainant first instead of the defendant, Nishikant Dubey.
Resolution Through Vote
The deadlock between Opposition and BJP MPs was eventually resolved through a vote. The Chairman, BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, cast the deciding vote, with five Opposition MPs opposing the testimony of Mr. Dubey and Mr. Dehadrai, and six ruling party MPs supporting it. Four committee members, including Congress MP Preneet Kaur, were absent from the meeting.
Mahua Moitra’s Defense
Chairman Sonkar announced that Ms. Moitra would be given the opportunity to present her defense on October 31, considering the gravity of the allegations. The committee has also sought assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, although the specific details of the requests remain undisclosed.
Demand for Further Testimony
The Opposition called for industrialist Darshan Hiranandani, who submitted an affidavit implicating Ms. Moitra, to be summoned before the panel. However, concerns arose regarding Mr. Hiranandani’s UAE citizenship, prompting a consultation with legal experts on whether he could be called to the meeting.
Allegations and Turning Approver
The allegations, as per the complaint by Mr. Dubey and Mr. Dehadrai, suggest that Ms. Moitra shared her Lok Sabha login and password with industrialist Mr. Hiranandani in exchange for pecuniary benefits. In an affidavit submitted to the Ethics Committee, Mr. Hiranandani turned approver, further complicating the case.
Questions Raised by the Opposition
The Opposition questioned the urgency of the committee’s proceedings and expressed concerns about selective probes. They referenced the Narada sting case, involving Trinamool MPs who have since joined the BJP and were allegedly caught accepting bribes. This case was referred to the Ethics Committee in 2016, but no report was produced, raising doubts about the committee’s credibility.
Additionally, the Opposition scrutinized Mr. Dubey’s motives in filing the complaint, suggesting it may be related to Ms. Moitra’s sustained campaign against his alleged “fake degree.”
The controversy surrounding these proceedings highlights the political tensions and complexities surrounding ethics investigations in the Lok Sabha.
