Allegations of ‘Cash for Queries’ Against TMC MP Mahua Moitra Referred to Ethics Panel by LS Speaker Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reportedly referred the complaint lodged by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against the TMC’s Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra to the Ethics Committee in the alleged cash-for-query scandal, sources said on Tuesday.

The move comes on the heels of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey writing to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of State (MoS) IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar, accusing Mahua Moitra of receiving bribes from a prominent businessman in lieu of questions and demanding that an inquiry committee be instituted against her.

In his letter, Dubey claimed that a Supreme Court lawyer had leveled allegations of bribes received by the TMC MP from businessman Darshan Hiranandani. He asserted, “Your good self may be aware of the allegations against Mahua Moitra that were presented by an advocate of the Supreme Court of India to the CBI and with my assistance to the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

These allegations include that she committed a criminal breach of trust, violated parliamentary ethics, and acted in a manner that was detrimental to India’s national security,” Dubey wrote in his letter to the IT minister.

Furthermore, Dubey also wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker, explicitly demanding the formation of an inquiry to investigate the actions of the TMC MP. In a fervent plea, he emphasized the seriousness of the matter, urging for a thorough investigation into the allegations.

Alongside his request for an inquiry, Dubey pressed for Moitra’s suspension from the House pending the completion of the investigation, highlighting the gravity of the accusations against her.

In response to Nishikant Dubey’s letter addressed to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the TMC MP, Mahua Moitra, swiftly defended herself, welcoming the investigation, but with a strong call for fairness in scrutinizing the conduct of all Members of Parliament. “All parliamentary work of MPs is done by PAs, assistants, interns, and large teams,” she clarified.

Taking a firm stance, she urged, “Respected Ashwini Vaishnaw, please release details of the location and login details of ALL MPs with CDRs. Please release info on training given to staff to log in,” emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability across the board.

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