Accusations on Mahua Moitra

The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha convened for its inaugural meeting to address the Cash-for-Query accusation against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. During this session, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai presented oral evidence related to Dubey’s complaint against Moitra, alleging her direct involvement in the ‘cash for query’ scandal within Parliament.

Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, a prominent Supreme Court lawyer, played a crucial role in this matter. It was his letter that formed the basis of Dubey’s complaint, which led to the Ethics Committee’s involvement. In response to these allegations, Moitra had previously referred to Dehadrai as a ‘jilted ex.’

The schedule for the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee meeting on that day included the oral testimony of Jai Anant Dehadrai as well as Nishikant Dubey regarding their respective complaints against Mahua Moitra. Dubey had filed his complaint on October 15, 2023, asserting Moitra’s direct involvement in the ‘cash for query’ issue in Parliament.

The Ethics Committee, headed by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, comprises members from various political parties, including the BJP, Congress, YSRCP, Shiv Sena, JD-U, CPI-M, and BSP. These members collectively oversee the proceedings and investigations related to alleged ethical violations by parliamentarians.

Nishikant Dubey had initially written to the Lok Sabha speaker, accusing Mahua Moitra of being involved in the ‘Cash for Query’ scandal. He claimed to possess evidence to support his allegations, which he received from Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. Dubey’s letter to the speaker pointed to a “serious Breach of Privilege,” “Contempt of the House,” and a potential “Criminal Offence” under Section 120A of the Indian Penal Code committed by the TMC MP.

In response to these accusations, Mahua Moitra expressed her willingness to cooperate with an inquiry by the speaker, but she also raised concerns about alleged breaches of privilege by other BJP MPs. The exchange of accusations between Mahua Moitra and Dubey escalated, with Dubey emphasizing the gravity of the situation, focusing on the dignity of Parliament, national security, and the alleged corruption of the MP.

These developments come after Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured Dubey that his complaint regarding the misuse of Parliament login credentials would be investigated. Mahua Moitra, in a response on social media, questioned the conflicting claims made by the BJP MP and emphasized the need for transparency and accuracy in the investigation.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The India English