Mahua Moitra Makes Her Letter To Ethics Panel Public, Wants Hiranandani To Be Cross Examined

TMC MP Mahua Moitra will appear before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on November 2 over the alleged 'cash-for-query' scam. However, she has expressed her desire to cross-examine businessman Darshan Hiranandani over the allegations made against her in the cash-for-query case.

She has also released her letter to the committee on X and said, "Since Ethics Committee deemed it fit to release my summons to the media I think it is important I too release my letter to the Committee before my "hearing" tomorrow."

Moitra had asked for a hearing scheduled after November 5 due to her prior commitments, but her request for an extension past November 2 was declined. On Tuesday, she raised concerns about whether the Ethics Committee was the suitable platform to investigate accusations of alleged criminality.

The committee is investigating claims made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who alleged that the TMC legislator received money and presents from Hiranandani in exchange for posing questions in Parliament aimed at the Adani group. In her letter, Moitra highlighted that parliamentary committees do not possess criminal jurisdiction and stressed the significance of engaging law enforcement bodies in these instances.

The Lok Sabha MP also sought to cross-examine the complainant, Jai Anant Dehadrai, who she claimed provided no documentary evidence to support the charges, according to a report in PTI.

"In light of the seriousness of the allegations, it is imperative that the alleged 'bribe-giver' Darshan Hiranandani, who has given a 'suo-motu' 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 stressed that an investigation lacking the chance for her to cross-examine would be considered "incomplete and unfair."

Emphasizing the lack of a defined code of conduct for members, she underscored the necessity for impartiality and fairness in handling individual cases, urging the committee to steer clear of political bias.

She further expressed her disappointment regarding the timing of the hearing, stating that it coincides with her pre-scheduled Vijayadashami events.

Moitra also voiced concerns about what she claimed as "double standards" practiced by the ethics committee in issuing a summons.

She highlighted that the panel had taken a markedly different approach in the case of BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, who reportedly faces a "severe complaint of hate speech" pending with the privileges and ethics branch.

According to Moitra, Bidhuri was summoned on October 10 to provide verbal testimony but expressed his inability to appear as he was away campaigning in Rajasthan.

The TMC MP said, "No further date of his hearing has been given so far. I wish to place on record that these double standards reek of political motives and do little to enhance the credibility of the privileges & ethics branch,"