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Mahua Moitra disqualified from Lok Sabha over cash-for-query case

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Sushim Mukul
Sushim MukulDec 08, 2023 | 15:12

Mahua Moitra disqualified from Lok Sabha over cash-for-query case

The Krishanagar MP was facing scrutiny in the alleged

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on Friday, December 8, following the recommendation of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee report on the 'cash-for-query case.'

The Ethics Committee, led by Chairman Vinod Kumar Sonkar, tabled the report in the Lok Sabha on Friday and also called for "an intense, legal, institutional inquiry."

After debating and voting on the report, the decision was announced by Om Birla, the Lok Sabha speaker. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi moved the proposal to accept the committee's report.

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The report

  • The report said, "The serious misdemeanours on the part of Mahua Moitra call for severe punishment. The Committee, therefore, recommend that Mahua Moitra, MP may be expelled from the Membership of the 17th Lok Sabha."
  • "In view of the highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct of Mahua Moitra, the Committee recommends an intense, legal, institutional inquiry by the Government of India in a time-bound manner," the report added.

Mahua quoted 'Rashmirathi'

  • As soon as the report was tabled in Lok Sabha today, a ruckus followed and the house was adjourned until 2 pm.
  • Mahua, said, "Jab naash manuj par chhata hai, pehle vivek mar jaata hai," as she arrived at the parliament this morning.
  • "They (BJP) have started 'vastraharan' and now you will watch 'Mahabharat ka rann...," she added.
  • The translation suggests a connection between incoming destruction (for BJP), intellectual decay and the commencement of a symbolic battle of the Mahabharata.
  • The MP, in a statement to ANI, said, "Maa Durga aa gayi hai, ab dekhenge...," in a cryptic statement.

Ethics panel

  • The Lok Sabha MP from Krishanagar, West Bengal was facing scrutiny in the alleged "cash-for-query," made by Godda MP Nishikant Dubay.
  • The Ethics Committee's report, presented on November 9 and chaired by BJP's Vinod Kumar Sonkar, recommended Moitra's disqualification from the remainder of her tenure in the 17th Lok Sabha, reported India Today.
  • Several opposition members walked out of the meeting before a final decision on Moitra was made.
  • The Ethics Committee's report was slated for presentation in the Lok Sabha this Friday, December 8.
  • Earlier the report was to be tabled on December 4.
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Allegations

  • Dubey had claimed that she received "bribes" from the Mumbai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in return for asking questions in the lower house.
  • These allegations were supported by a letter from advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, who mentioned "irrefutable evidence" of such exchanges.
  • Moitra has denied these allegations, saying the charges are "defamatory, false, baseless, and not supported by even a shred of evidence."
Last updated: December 08, 2023 | 15:38
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