New Delhi, Nov 9: The Ethics Committee of Parliament made a significant move on Thursday, adopting a draft report related to Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the alleged ‘cash for Parliament questions’ matter. This draft report, accompanied by the committee’s recommendations, is set to be submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Vinod Sonkar, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, addressed the media after the meeting and disclosed the outcome. “The Ethics Committee probing the charges against Mahua Moitra was adopted today. It was supported by six members while four opposed it,” stated Sonkar.
The committee’s detailed report, which encompasses the findings of the fact-finding process, will be sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker along with the recommendations. Although Sonkar refrained from divulging the specifics of the recommendations, he affirmed that a 500-page report had been prepared.
The committee comprises members from various political parties, including BJP, Congress, YSRCP, Shiv Sena, JD-U, CPI-M, and BSP. Notably, there were six affirmative votes in favor of the draft report, while four members opposed it.
Mahua Moitra had previously walked out of a committee meeting on November 2, accusing the committee’s chairperson, Vinod Sonkar, of asking her personal and unethical questions. She later criticized the committee for rescheduling the meeting to clash with Congress MPs’ nomination date.
The Ethics Committee is investigating allegations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, claiming that Moitra accepted cash and favors in exchange for posing questions in Lok Sabha on behalf of businessman Darshan Hiranandani. On November 2, she wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging mistreatment by the chairperson of the Ethics Committee during the hearing.
It’s worth noting that, on October 26, Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai provided “oral evidence” to the committee against Mahua Moitra. Additionally, Nishikant Dubey mentioned on Wednesday that the Lokpal, based on his complaint, has ordered a CBI inquiry against Mahua Moitra, who represents Krishnanagar in West Bengal.
