Shortly before news broke that the Ethics Panel recommended Mahua Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey asserted that Lokpal had directed a CBI investigation into the cash-for-query case.
The Parliamentary Ethics Committee has reportedly advised the removal of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra from Lok Sabha membership due to her alleged involvement in a cash-for-query case, as per sources on Wednesday.
This development emerged in the wake of earlier reports indicating that the Anti-Corruption Panel (Lokpal) had issued an order for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into corruption allegations against Moitra.
Nishikant Dubey, a BJP MP, claimed that Lokpal had initiated a CBI investigation based on his complaint regarding Moitra’s alleged corruption. In response, Moitra insisted that the CBI should first file an FIR on the Rs 13,000 crore Adani coal “scam.”
Moitra, reacting to the reports of a CBI probe, posted on X, stating, “National security issue is how dodgy foreign portfolio investor (FPI) owned (including Chinese & UAE) Adani firms are buying Indian ports & airports…Then CBI welcome to come, count my shoes.”
The Ethics Panel meeting, initially scheduled for Thursday to consider and adopt its draft report, was rescheduled.
Moitra claimed on Tuesday that the meeting postponement was an attempt to exclude a Congress member and adopt the report by a majority. Dubey countered, suggesting Moitra’s guilty conscience was causing her concern about the panel’s proceedings.
The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is set to meet on Thursday to adopt a draft report on the cash-for-query allegations against Moitra. There are indications that the panel may view the charges gravely.
Nishikant Dubey had filed a complaint against Moitra, accusing her of targeting the Adani Group in Lok Sabha questions at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts.
The committee is likely to express dissatisfaction with the conduct of some opposition members during its proceedings and may recommend action against Moitra. Dissent notes from opposition members are also anticipated.
Sources revealed that the committee might make recommendations against BSP member Danish Ali, who was vociferous in criticizing the “indecent and personal” questions posed by panel chief Vinod Kumar Sonkar to Moitra.
The 15-member committee comprises seven BJP members, three from the Congress, and one each from BSP, Shiv Sena, YSRCP, CPI(M), and JDU. Opposition members walked out of the November 2 meeting, alleging Sonkar’s inappropriate questions to Moitra about her travels, hotel stay, and telephone calls.