Cash-for-Query Controversy: Complaint Against Mahua Moitra Referred to Ethics Panel

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has referred a complaint from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey to the Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee. The complaint alleges that Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra accepted bribes in exchange for raising questions in Parliament.

The Ethics Committee is chaired by BJP member Vinod Kumar Sonkar. Dubey’s letter to the Speaker and other government officials calls for the establishment of a probe panel to investigate the charges against Moitra, based on evidence he received from a Supreme Court lawyer.

The allegations centre around purported “bribes for questions,” reminiscent of the 2005 ‘Cash for Query Scandal.’ It is claimed that 50 out of 61 questions raised by Moitra in Parliament were aimed at furthering the business interests of Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of the Hiranandani Group, a real estate conglomerate.

Moitra has vehemently denied these allegations, taking to social media to challenge Dubey. In response, she suggested that the Speaker investigate Dubey for alleged false affidavits before setting up an inquiry committee for her.

The Hiranandani Group has also dismissed the accusations, asserting their commitment to working with the government for the nation’s benefit.