Lok Sabha Ethics Committe head says ‘cash for query’ case report will be discussed, sent to Speaker

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the meeting of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, which is investigating the cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, the Committee’s chairperson Vinod Sonkar said that a report has been drafted and after discussion, it will be sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker.

“The ethics committee has seen all evidence examined, Darshan Hiranandani’s affidavit, Nishikant Dubey’s complaint and Mahua Moitra’s statement. A report has been drafted on which the Ethics Committee will hold a discussion. Following this, the report will be sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker”, Vinod Sonkar said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Ethics Committee chairman Vinod Sonkar says, "The complaint made by Nishikant Dubey and affidavit submitted by Hiranandani, in the two meetings before this, we examined the complains and Mahua Moitra's statement was also recorded. After all this, today an ethics… pic.twitter.com/E5GLwYqz9x

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2023

The Ethics Committee chairperson said that two meetings were held prior to Thursday’s meeting in which Dubey’s complaint and Hiranandani’s affidavit was examined and Moitra’s statement was recorded. “In the two meetings before this, we examined the complaint by Nishikant Dubey and the affidavit submitted by Hiranandani. Mahua Moitra’s statement was also recorded. After all this, today, an Ethics Committee meeting is taking place. We will discuss all the issues in detail and send the proposal to the Lok Sabha Speaker”, he added.

When questioned about the possibility of revoking Mahua Moitra’s Lok Sabha membership, Sonkar said, “The committee will decide on this. After examining all the facts, it will send its report to the Speaker”. According to sources, the committee can recommend the expulsion of Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha and can take action against Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali who is a member of the committee.

Mahua Moitra had appeared before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on November 2 over the cash-for-query allegations against her. Along with opposition members of the panel, she walked out of the meeting alleging that she had been asked personal questions.

Opposition members of the Ethics Committee also raised questions over the line of questioning to the Trinamool Congress MP. BSP MP Danish Ali, Janata Dal (United) MP Giridhari Yadav, and Congress MP Uttam Kumar Reddy were among those who walked out of the meeting.

On Wednesday, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claimed that anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) based on his complaint in the ‘Cash for Query’ row. In a post on X, Nishikant Dubey said, “Lokpal today, based on my complaint, ordered a CBI inquiry against MP Mahua ji, who committed corruption by mortgaging national security”.

In a series of posts on X, the TMC MP Mahua Moitra responded by targeting the Lok Pal and saying that the CBI should first investigate the Adani group. “Very happy to know Modiji’s Lok Pal exists — and been spurred into action…. why not ask Lok Pal’s office to release statement on referral. Bit humiliating for LP office to outsource such important announcements……?” she said in her post on X. (ANI)