Lok Sabha Speaker sends 'Cash for Query' complaint against Mahua Moitra to ethics committee

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday (17 October) took cognisance of a complaint me by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, wherein Dubey alleged that lawmaker from West Bengal received "bribes" from a businessman in exchange for asking questions in Parliament. complaint, labelled as a "cash for query" case, has been forwarded to Lok Sabha ethics committee for furr examination by Om Birla.

Nishikant Dubey's complaint to Speaker Birla, submitted on Sunday, emphasises “re-emergence of nasty "cash for query” in Parliament" and accuses Mahua Moitra of a "serious breach of privilege," "contempt of House," and a "criminal offence" under Section 120-A of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

In his communication to Speaker, Dubey gave references of a letter he received from an vocate containing what he deems "irrefutable" evidence of illicit transactions between Mahua Moitra  and a business tycoon.

Nishikant Dubey's letter to Om Birla points out that out of 61 questions Moitra posed in Lok Sabha, a total of 50 of m were directed towards ani Group, a business conglomerate frequently criticised by TMC MP for alleged malpractices, particularly following a critical report on short-selling by Investment research firm - Hindenburg.

Dubey urged Speaker Birla to establish an "inquiry committee" to investigate charges against Moitra, as he strongly believes that her actions indicate a "criminal conspiracy" to promote and safeguard business interests of businessman Darshan Hiranandani by posing Parliamentary questions.

Dubey drew parallels to infamous "cash for query" episode of December 12, 2005, where several MPs were exposed for allegedly seeking bribes in exchange for questions in Parliament.

“re is not an iota of doubt about a criminal conspiracy hatched by Mahua Moitra to garner and protect business interests of a businessman – Shri Darshan Hiranandani – by asking Parliamentary Questions, which is reminiscent of ‘Cash for Query’ episode of 12 December 2005,” BJP MP said.

Highlighting that memberships of 11 MPs were revoked based on recommendations of an inquiry committee within just 23 days of its formation, Dubey insists that Mahua Moitra should undergo a similar inquiry and suspension from House until report is presented.