Mahua Moitra Walked Out To Avoid Questions: Ethics Committee On Hearing Over Cash-For-Query Allegations

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, along with other Opposition MPs, walked out of the parliamentary ethics committee meeting regarding the cash-for-query matter. They raised concerns about the way the meeting was conducted. The ethics committee responded to these allegations.

The committee's chairperson, Vinod Sonkar, explained that Mahua Moitra did not cooperate during her cross-examination and left to avoid facing more questions. He mentioned that "objectionable words were used against the panel's functioning and me."

According to NDTV, another panel member, Aparajita Sarangi, stated that Moitra behaved in an angry and arrogant manner when questioned about Darshan Hiranandani's affidavit.

Opposition MPs alleged that the committee asked "personal and unethical questions" and that details of the meeting were leaked to the media while it was ongoing. An Opposition MP said "it was too much".

"What kind of meeting was this? They are asking all kinds of filthy questions," Moitra told reporters as she and the Opposition MPs stormed out of the room.

"They are picking on anything. Talking any rubbish. 'You have tears in your eyes', they said. Do I have tears in my eyes, you see tears?" Moitra said as she put her hands on her cheeks.

In her statement to the committee, Moitra mentioned that a "sour personal relationship" motivated the complaint against her regarding alleged cash-for-query.

This issue seemed to escalate during her cross-examination. Much of her deposition focused on her relationship with Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, as she appeared to blame him for leaks and the allegations.

BJP MP VD Sharma urged her to respond to the substantive part of the allegations and not focus solely on the personal relationship aspect.

Although Moitra refuted the cash-for-query allegations, she admitted to giving her parliamentary login ID to businessman Darshan Hiranandani. The ethics committee summoned her based on reports from three ministries along with documents and evidence, citing national security concerns.

The committee asked questions about the nature of her ties with Hiranandani to understand the extent of damage caused by sharing the parliamentary login ID with him.

Many of the questions Moitra asked in parliament related to sectors in which Hiranandani's companies had interests. That is why committee was concerned about whether national security had been compromised.

The complaint was filed by a Supreme Court lawyer, whom Moitra referred to as her "jilted ex." BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had called for an investigation into the allegation that Moitra provided her parliament login ID to. Hiranandani to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ethics committee hearing was supported by an affidavit from Hiranandani, admitting to posting questions on Moitra's parliamentary login. If proven, this could constitute a breach of parliamentary privilege and could lead to her expulsion from the house.