New Delhi, Nov 2: In a significant political development in India, Mahua Moitra, an opposition Member of Parliament (MP) known for her staunch criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, is currently appearing before a parliamentary ethics panel to address allegations of misconduct during her parliamentary tenure.
The allegations against Ms. Moitra include claims of asking questions in the Indian Parliament in exchange for bribes.
As a prominent MP from the Trinamool Congress party (TMC), representing West Bengal state, Moitra vehemently denies these accusations and has stated her willingness to cooperate with any inquiry.
On Thursday, Mahua Moitra appeared before an ethics committee in the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of parliament, which initiated the inquiry last week.
However, Ms. Moitra has expressed her discontent with the committee’s handling of the matter. She cited prior commitments and requested a delay until Saturday, which was declined by the committee.
This led to her appearance on a date that conflicted with her “constitutional commitments.”
In a letter released on Wednesday, Ms. Moitra raised questions about whether the ethics committee was the appropriate forum to investigate criminal allegations, emphasizing that it lacks criminal jurisdiction and the mandate to probe alleged criminal activities.
She suggested that such investigations should be conducted by law enforcement agencies.
The proceedings against Ms. Moitra were initiated based on a complaint filed by Nishikant Dubey, an MP from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Mr. Dubey alleged that Moitra had asked multiple questions in parliament targeting the Adani Group, a prominent business conglomerate owned by Gautam Adani, who is perceived as close to Prime Minister Modi.
The allegations further claimed that Ms. Moitra accepted gifts and cash from a rival businessman, Darshan Hiranandani.
It is worth noting that earlier this year, the Adani Group faced scrutiny following accusations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud by Hindenburg Research, a U.S.-based short seller.
The Adani Group strongly refuted these allegations, labeling them as “malicious.”
Nishikant Dubey’s complaint alleged that a significant number of Ms. Moitra’s questions in the Lok Sabha pertained to the Adani Group, and he accused her of receiving bribes amounting to 20 million rupees (approximately $240,542) from Mr. Hiranandani.
In response, Ms. Moitra has questioned the authenticity of the affidavit submitted by Mr. Hiranandani and has filed defamation cases against both Mr. Dubey and Jai Anant Dehadrai, whom she described as a “jilted ex,” in the Delhi High Court.
In her statement on Wednesday, Ms. Moitra urged the parliamentary panel to permit her to cross-question Mr. Dehadrai and Mr. Hiranandani.
She argued that neither of them has provided documentary proof to substantiate the bribery allegations against her, and she emphasized that an inquiry without the opportunity for cross-questioning would be “incomplete and unfair.”
The investigation into Mahua Moitra’s alleged misconduct has become a significant political issue in India, further highlighting the tensions and divisions within the country’s political landscape.
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