Ethics Panel Urges Lok Sabha to Expel Mahua Moitra Amid CBI Probe

The Ethics Panel of Parliament has recommended the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha. Moitra is currently facing allegations in a cash-for-query case, and the Anti-Corruption Panel (Lokpal) has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into these charges.

Image Source -www.ndtv.com

 The Ethics Panel of Parliament has recommended the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha. Moitra is currently facing allegations in a cash-for-query case, and the Anti-Corruption Panel (Lokpal) has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into these charges.

The call for Moitra's expulsion follows a complaint by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who accused her of corruption. Moitra, in response, demanded that the CBI initiate an investigation into the Adani coal scam worth Rs 13,000 crore.

The Ethics Panel had initially scheduled a meeting for Thursday to review its draft report. However, this meeting was later rescheduled, prompting accusations from Moitra that it was orchestrated to exclude a Congress member and ensure the report's adoption by a majority.

Dubey retorted that Moitra's guilt was driving her concern over the panel's proceedings. Moitra claimed that the committee did not circulate a draft report to its members and that BJP leaders were mobilizing allies to secure their attendance for a majority vote.

In parallel, the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha will convene to adopt a draft report on the cash-for-query allegations against Moitra. The charges revolve around her alleged targeting of the Adani Group in exchange for gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani.

The committee is likely to view these allegations seriously, especially after Moitra accused its chief, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, of asking her indecent and personal questions in a prior meeting. This has led to the possibility of dissenting notes from opposition members in the committee's recommendations.

The committee is expected to express its dissatisfaction with the behaviour of certain opposition members during its proceedings and may even recommend actions against some of them, including BSP member Danish Ali, who was vocal in his criticism of Sonkar's line of questioning.

Also Read: Ankita Lokhande Shares Her Proud Memories Of Sushant Singh Rajput On Bigg Boss 17

Vinod Kumar Sonkar also described the conduct of members like Danish Ali and JD (U)'s Giridhari Yadav as unethical. The committee consists of 15 members, with seven from the BJP, three from the Congress, and one each from BSP, Shiv Sena, YSRCP, CPI(M), and JDU.

Congress sources indicated that members N Uttam Kumar Reddy and V Vaithilingam would submit dissent notes, and BSP member Kunwar Danish Ali was expected to do the same. All five opposition members who attended the November 2 meeting left, alleging that Sonkar had asked personal and indecent questions related to Moitra's travels, hotel stays, and telephone calls.