TMC MP Mahua Moitra will appear before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee probing the cash-for-query allegations against her on Thursday. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who made "cash-for-query" allegations against Moitra and lawyer Jai Dehadrai have already given "oral evidence" before the panel.
Dubey has accused Moitra of taking bribes from businessman Darsh Hiranandani to ask questions against entrepreneur Gautam Adani in Parliament. In his letter to the Lok Sabha speaker, Dubey claimed that 50 of the 61 questions she asked in the Lok Sabha till recently were focused on the Adani Group.
It has also come to light that Moitra's parliamentary account was accessed several times from Dubai. Nearly 47 log-ins to Moitra’s parliamentary account were made from Dubai, news agency PTI reported quoting sources privy to the matter.
Moitra has admitted that she shared her parliamentary portal log-in details with Hiranandani, but dismissed allegations of any quid pro quo, saying the businessman has long been a close friend of her.
The TMC MP, in a letter sent to the ethics panel, had also expressed her desire to cross-examine alleged "bribe-giver," Hiranandani, who submitted an affidavit to the committee "without offering substantial evidence". The Lok Sabha MP also sought to cross-examine the complainant, Jai Anant Dehadral, who she claimed provided no documentary evidence to support 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 itemised inventory with amounts, date etc," she said.
"I wish to place on record that in keeping with the principles of natural justice I wish to exercise my right to cross-examine Hiranandani," she said.
Moitra has already said that she would challenge the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee during the November 2 session and refutes all accusations targeted at her suspension. She has also questioned the jurisdiction of the committee.
