Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has agreed to appear before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, which was set up to probe the alleged cash for query scam, on November 2. In a significant development preceding her scheduled appearance before the Ethics Committee, TMC Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has taken a proactive step by sharing a copy of the letter she addressed to the committee.
Accusations against Moitra stem from a claim made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who asserted that Moitra had accepted financial incentives from businessman Darshan Hiranandani with the purpose of targeting the Adani Group, a prominent Indian conglomerate. Moitra is scheduled to appear before the Ethics Committee on November 2 to address these allegations.
In an effort to maintain transparency and present her perspective to the public, Moitra shared a letter dated October 31, which she had sent to the Ethics Committee. In her letter, she conveyed her readiness to cooperate with the committee and vehemently refute the allegations of cash-for-query that have been leveled against her. She also took the opportunity to underline an important point, emphasizing that parliamentary committees lack criminal jurisdiction. Consequently, she stressed the need for the involvement of law enforcement agencies in cases of this nature.
One of the most significant aspects of Moitra’s letter was her expressed desire to cross-examine the alleged “bribe-giver,” Darshan Hiranandani, who had submitted an affidavit to the Ethics Committee without offering substantial evidence to support the accusations. This request for cross-examination reflects Moitra’s commitment to a fair and thorough investigation, where all relevant parties have an opportunity to present their side of the story.
Overall, this development signifies a critical juncture in the ongoing investigation into the cash-for-query allegations, as Mahua Moitra prepares to defend herself before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee and calls for a comprehensive and transparent examination of the matter.
The Lok Sabha MP also requested to cross-examine the complainant, Jai Anant Dehadrai, asserting that he provided no 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 itemized inventory with amounts, date, etc.,” she stated.
