Mahua Moitra To Be Summoned After Nishikant Dubey, SC Counsel: Ethics Panel Chief On Complaint Against TMC MP

Sonkar stated that the BJP MP Dubey and Supreme Court counsel Jai Anant Dehadrai's have been asked to be present before the ethics panel on October 26 to submit their testimony against Moitra.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra. ( Image Source :PTI )

Vinod Sonkar, Chairman of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, informed ABP News on Friday that he has received businessman Darshan Hiranandani's letter in the "cash-for-query" case against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra. During his visit to Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh, Sonkar stated that the BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Supreme Court counsel Jai Anant Dehadrai's have been asked to be present before the ethics panel on October 26 to submit their testimony against Moitra. Based on this, the panel will summon the TMC MP to submit her claims. 

Sonkar stated that the panel has asked all the parties to submit their evidences. "It is too early to say, one aspect has come forward which will be investigated, we will also try to know the side of Mahua Moitra, what does she want to say on the serious charges made against her. After examining all the papers they have, the committee will reach a decision," he stated. 

Meanwhile, while speaking with media on the allegations of 'cash for query' against TMC MP Mahua Moitra, LoP West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari said: "This a serious allegation. It is shameful that she is elected from Bengal. I seriously condemn this type of practice by the TMC MP. Lok Sabha Ethics Committee should take appropriate action as soon as possible."

#WATCH | On allegations of 'cash for query' against TMC MP Mahua Moitra, LoP West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari says, "This a serious allegation. It is shameful that she is elected from Bengal. I seriously condemn this type of practice by the TMC MP. Lok Sabha Ethics Committee should… pic.twitter.com/hU9mnw2Ock

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2023

"To target Adani Group, 51 out of 60 questions were asked about Adani Group... This is a breach of privilege, inquiry should be conducted and action should be taken against her," Lok Sabha MP & West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said. 

The dispute erupted after Dubey claimed that Moitra accepted payments from Hiranandani in order to speak in Parliament, specifically regarding the Adani Group, a rival of the real-estate firm Hiranandani Group. The BJP member's charges were based on Dehadrai's letter, which included "irrefutable" proof of bribe transfers between Moitra and the businessman.

Moitra responded by saying she "welcomes any move against her after the Lok Sabha Speaker is finished dealing with pending charges against him (Dubey)". 

Moitra further approached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, requesting that Dubey, Dehadrai, and numerous social media platforms and media outlets refrain from uploading, spreading, or publishing any claimed fraudulent and defamatory information against her.

Moitra sought a permanent injunction and damages from Dubey, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, social media platform X, search engine Google, YouTube, and 15 media outlets, as well as an injunction prohibiting them from making, publishing, or circulating per se defamatory, false, and malicious statements about her, according to PTI.