Mahua Moitra summoned in cash-for-query case on November 2: Report
What's the story
The Lok Sabha ethics committee has summoned Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on November 2 in the "cash for query" case after she sought a fresh date, sources told news outlet NDTV. The ethics committee had earlier summoned the TMC MP on Tuesday (October 31), but she asked the panel to reschedule the date due to pre-scheduled engagements.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Moitra is accused of taking bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions in Parliament, targeting PM Narendra Modi and the Adani Group, by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey. The allegations are based on documents from lawyer Anant Rai Dehadrai, whom Moitra called a "jilted ex." In an affidavit, Hiranandani claimed Moitra sought a quick path to gain national notoriety.
Details
Summons was released before it was emailed to me: Moitra
Notably, Moitra also alleged that her Tuesday summons was released to the media before it was emailed to her. "Chairman, Ethics Committee announced my 31/10 summons on live TV way before official letter emailed to me at 19:20hrs. All complaints and suo moto affidavits also released to media," she tweeted on Friday. She added that she will instead appear in person after November 5.
More details
Details on Moitra's statement against ethics panel's summons
In her two-page statement, Moitra highlighted that in her previous letter on Monday, she had expressed her willingness to appear before the panel to defend herself against the accusations. However, the committee decided to summon and hear the complainants, Dehadrai and Dubey, first before giving her a chance to be heard against the order of natural justice.
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Hiranandani gave Moitra Rs. 2 crore: Dubey
The BJP MP alleged that Hiranandani gave Moitra Rs. 2 crore and another Rs. 75 lakh to fight elections. He also claimed that between 2019 and 2023, 50 of the 61 questions asked by her were on Hiranandani's behalf, and she also gave her Parliament login ID and password to him. The Hiranandani Group allegedly lost infrastructure and energy projects to the Adani Group.
Further details
Dehadrai, Dubey picked wrong person to bully: Moitra
In an interview with India Today on Friday, Moitra dismissed all charges brought against her by Dehadrai and Dubey. "They have picked the wrong person to bully. They really have," she said. "I have given up everything in my life to sit here, and some little Jharkhandi pitbull and some acrimonious ex-personal relationship is not going to be the end of me," Moitra added.