The report concerning the ‘cash-for-query’ scandal involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra will be presented by the Ethics Committee on December 4, the inaugural day of the Winter session of Parliament. Sources Revealed to TDG that prior to the commencement of the winter session, the Lok Sabha’s scheduled proceedings for December 4 outline Vinod Kumar Sonkar and Aparajita Sarangi presenting the initial report (available in Hindi and English) of the Ethics Committee.
The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee forwarded its preliminary report linked to the ‘cash-for-query’ matter to Speaker Om Birla the previous month. According to sources, the committee has proposed Moitra’s expulsion from Parliament.
Following an investigation into the accusations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, the Ethics Committee recommended Moitra’s removal from the 17th Lok Sabha due to her alleged “highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct.” The committee voted on this report prior to its adoption, with a majority of 6:4 endorsing it.
Committee chair Vinod Sonkar confirmed that among those supporting the report were members such as Preneet Kaur, the spouse of former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who is now associated with the BJP.
The allegations against Moitra involved purportedly targeting the Adani Group during her questioning in the Lok Sabha, allegedly at the insistence of businessman Darshan Hiranandani, in exchange for gifts. These accusations were presented by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who claimed to have evidence provided by lawyer Jai Ananth Dehadrai. Both the BJP MP and Dehadrai testified before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee.
The draft report on Moitra’s ‘cash-for-questions’ case revealed multiple logins from Dubai while she purportedly visited the UAE four times between 2019 and 2023. The committee’s draft report mentioned, “Her member portal login credentials were accessed from Dubai on 47 occasions.”
To ascertain details, the Ethics Committee requested comprehensive reports from the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding IP addresses and locations. Additionally, they sought input from the MHA on the legal implications of sharing login credentials under the Section IT Act 2000.
The draft report indicated that Moitra’s actions warranted severe consequences, stating, “Mahua Moitra’s grave misdeeds require stringent punishment.”
Hence, the Committee proposed Moitra’s expulsion from the Seventeenth Lok Sabha due to her alleged highly objectionable, unethical, heinous, and criminal behaviour.
The report specified that the Government of India would conduct an institutional inquiry within a stipulated timeframe.
Allegations of ‘unethical conduct’ and ‘contempt of the House’ against Dubai-based business tycoon Darshan Hiranandani by MP Mahua Moitra, regarding the acceptance of money, gifts, and other amenities, have also been highlighted.
Opposition MPs voiced disagreement with the draft report, asserting that the investigation lacked impartiality. They urged the committee to summon Darshan Hiranandani to ensure a fair investigation into all aspects of the case.
Sources revealed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry into Moitra regarding the allegations of raising questions in Parliament.
A senior CBI official clarified that while no preliminary inquiry (PE) has been registered, an investigation has commenced following a reference by the anti-corruption body Lokpal. The winter session of Parliament is scheduled to continue until December 22.