Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday assured Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra’s counsel that he would make a decision on the urgent listing of her plea challenging her expulsion from the Lok Sabha.
Moitra had approached the top court on Monday following her expulsion, based on the Lower House of Parliament adopting a report from its ethics committee, finding her guilty of accepting gifts and illegal gratification from a businessman to advance his interests.
A bench led by CJI Chandrachud acknowledged the submissions of senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Moitra. Chandrachud stated that he would examine the listing aspect at lunch during the day.
Singhvi emphasized the significance of a parliamentarian being expelled and noted that the matter might not have been officially registered.
“This is a member being expelled from the Lok Sabha,” Singhvi stated.
The CJI responded, “If an email was sent, then I would look at it right away. Please send it.”
Earlier in the day, Singhvi mentioned Moitra’s plea before a bench led by senior-most judge Justice S K Kaul, as the CJI was presiding over a Constitution bench. Justice Kaul informed Singhvi that the CJI would take the call.
On December 8, after a heated Lok Sabha debate over the panel report, where Moitra was denied the opportunity to speak, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion to expel the TMC MP for “unethical conduct.”
The motion was adopted by a voice vote. Moitra strongly criticized her expulsion, likening it to being judged by a “kangaroo court” and alleging the government’s weaponization of a parliamentary panel to coerce the opposition into submission.
