Cash-for-Query Case: TMC MP Mahua Moitra to Appear Before LS Ethics Committee on Nov 2

Ahead of her scheduled appearance before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, which is investigating allegations of cash-for-query against her, TMC MP Mahua Moitra shared a copy of the letter she wrote to the panel.

Moitra, who has been the centre of a political controversy following BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s accusation to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, claiming that she accepted bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group, will appear before the committee on November 2, 2023.

Sharing the letter dated October 31 on X, Moitra stated, “Since Ethics Committee deemed it fit to release my summons to the media I think it is important I too release my letter to the Committee before my “hearing” tomorrow”.

In the letter, Moitra confirmed her appearance before the panel on November 2 and expressed her intent to refute the allegations of cash-for-query against her. She emphasized that parliamentary committees lack criminal jurisdiction and stressed the necessity of involving law enforcement agencies in such cases. Moitra also expressed her desire to cross-examine the alleged “bribe-giver,” Hiranandani, who submitted an affidavit to the committee “without offering substantial evidence.”

The Lok Sabha MP also requested to cross-examine the complainant, Jai Anant Dehadrai, asserting that he provided no documentary evidence to substantiate the charges.

“In light of the seriousness of the allegations, it is imperative that the alleged ‘bribe-giver’ Darshan Hiranandani, who has given a ‘suo-moto’ affidavit to the Committee with scant details and no documentary evidence whatsoever, be called to depose before the Committee and provide the said evidence in the form of a documented itemized inventory with amounts, date, etc.,” she stated.

“I wish to place on record that in keeping with the principles of natural justice, I wish to exercise my right to cross-examine Hiranandani,” she added.

Moitra emphasized that an inquiry without granting her the opportunity to cross-examine would be “incomplete and unfair.” She raised concerns about the lack of a structured Code of Conduct for members and underscored the need for objectivity and fairness in handling individual cases, avoiding political bias within the committee.

Moitra also highlighted what she perceived as “double standards” within the Ethics Committee, pointing out a different approach in the case of BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, who has a “very serious complaint of hate speech” pending against him with the Privileges and Ethics branch. Bidhuri had been summoned on October 10 to provide oral evidence but expressed his inability to depose as he was campaigning in Rajasthan.