‘Double-Standards Reek Of…’: Mahua Moitra To Ethics Committee As She Confirms Appearance On Nov 2

TMC MP Mahua Moitra acknowledged her willingness to appear before the panel on November 2 but raised concerns about the appropriateness of the forum for examining allegations of criminal conduct.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has confirmed her appearance before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on November 2 in relation to the ongoing cash-for-query case. However, she has stressed her demand for being allowed to cross-examine businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who is accused of providing bribes to her in exchange for posing questions in Parliament. She also expressed disappointment that the hearing schedule coincides with her pre-scheduled Vijaya Dashami events and raised concerns about what she perceived as "double standards" within the Ethics Committee.

The case has drawn significant political attention, with BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleging that Moitra received bribes from Hiranandani to target the Adani Group. Dubey wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to make these allegations.

Initially, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee had requested Mahua Moitra to appear on October 31. However, Moitra had sought a hearing date after November 5 due to prior commitments. Her request for an extension beyond November 2 was denied.

In a letter addressed to the chairperson of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on Tuesday, Moitra acknowledged her willingness to appear before the panel on November 2 but raised concerns about the appropriateness of the forum for examining allegations of criminal conduct, news agency PTI reported. She pointed out that parliamentary committees do not have criminal jurisdiction and argued for the involvement of law enforcement agencies in such cases. 

"While registering my protest, I wish to inform you that I will respect the summons and appear before the Committee on November 2, 2023, at 11 am," Moitra stated, as quoted by PTI.

She expressed that she wanted to cross-examine Darshan Hiranandani, the alleged "bribe-giver," who had submitted an affidavit to the committee without providing substantial evidence. Moitra also sought the opportunity to cross-examine the complainant, Jai Anant Dehadral, highlighting the absence of 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 itemised inventory with amounts, date etc," she said, as quoted by PTI.

Moitra contended that an inquiry without permitting her the chance to cross-examine would be both "incomplete and unfair."

In her letter, she underlined the absence of a structured Code of Conduct for members and the vital need for impartiality, fairness, and avoidance of political bias within the committee when addressing individual cases.

Regarding the summon date, Moitra pointed out the contrasting approach in the case of BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, who faces a serious complaint of hate speech and was summoned to provide oral evidence on October 10. However, Bidhuri expressed his inability to appear as he was campaigning in Rajasthan. No further hearing date has been provided for him. 

"No further date of his hearing has been given so far. I wish to place on record that these double-standards reek of political motives and do little to enhance the credibility of the Privileges & Ethics Branch," she said, as quoted by PTI.