Cash for query row: Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee to adopt draft report on November 7

On November 7, in Delhi, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee will convene in order to approve a draft report regarding the purported “cash-for-query” accusations made against TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

“Complaint dated 15 October 2023 given by Dr Nishikant Dubey, MP against Mahua Moitra, MP for alleged direct involvement in cash for query in Parliament with reference to examination/investigation of the alleged unethical conduct of Mahua Moitra, MP by the Committee on Ethics–Consideration and Adoption of Draft Report,” the agenda released by Lok Sabha read.
Earlier, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who appeared before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on November 2 over cash-for-query allegations against her and opposition members of the panel “walked out” of the meeting.

Members of the opposition questioned the line of questioning and claimed that the Trinamool Congress MP was subjected to “personal questions.” Congressman Uttam Kumar Reddy, Janata Dal (United) MP Giridhari Yadav, and BSP MP Danish Ali were among those who left. “They probed the woman (Mahua Moitra) with private inquiries. We left because they had no right to inquire about our personal lives,” Giridhari Yadav subsequently remarked.

Nishikant Dubey has accused Trinamool MP Moitra of accepting bribes from Dubai-based businessman Hiranandani in exchange for Moitra raising “Cash for Query” allegations in Parliament directed at the Adani Group. In a letter titled “Re-emergence of nasty ‘Cash for Query’ in Parliament,” Dubey also asked that the issue be looked into. It was addressed to Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha. In addition, he said that he had received evidence of purported bribes from Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. Jai Dehadrai and Dubey have both appeared before the panel.