Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra made a notable exit from the Parliament's Ethics Committee meeting on Thursday, alongside Opposition MPs. Her departure was prompted by concerns over the manner in which the meeting was conducted, particularly in relation to the alleged 'cash-for-Parliament questions' charge that she is facing.
Moitra had been summoned for the second time to appear before the Ethics Committee to address the charges against her. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the committee members' line of questioning was deemed irrelevant and inappropriate. Specifically, Moitra was queried about her travel schedules and companions, a line of inquiry that was met with opposition from the Opposition MPs.
Frustration with the questioning swiftly mounted, leading to Moitra's abrupt departure from the parliamentary Ethics Committee meeting, accompanied by other Opposition MPs.
A day prior to this development, Moitra had written to the Ethics Committee, requesting the opportunity to cross-examine the complainant, Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, and Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani. These requests were in connection with the Ethics Committee's investigation into allegations by BJP MP Dubey, who claimed that Moitra had accepted cash and favors in exchange for posing questions in the Lok Sabha concerning businessman Gautam Adani, purportedly at the behest of businessman Hiranandani.
The previous Thursday, BJP MP Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai had provided "oral evidence" to the panel regarding the allegations against Moitra.
(With Agency Inputs)
