What's in store for Mahua Moitra after the cash-for-query scam?

 What's in store for Mahua Moitra after the cash-for-query scam?

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, which suggested that the Trinamool leader be expelled, is scheduled to convene soon. According to experts, the expulsion of a Lok Sabha member may be challenged.

The MP for the Trinamool Congress has claimed that the Lok Sabha's norms have broken down.

The Lok Sabha's Ethics Committee will convene in a short while to discuss the charges of cash-for-query made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Trinamool Congress colleague Mahua Moitra.

BJP MP Vinod Sonkar serves as the panel's leader. It has been gathered that the draft report recommended her removal from the 17th Lok Sabha.

On November 9, Moitra emailed Speaker Om Birla of the Lok Sabha, claiming that the draft report had been leaked to the press. "A very serious breach of rule 275 (2) contained in the rules of procedure while performing of business in the Lok Sabha wherein on November 8, a day before it is to be placed before the Committee, an outlet of media accessed the draft report through the Committee on The discipline of ethics on the subject of Unethical Conduct," the user wrote on X. She said, "This is a complete dismantling of the Lok Sabha's rules."

Abhishek Banerjee, the general secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), publicly endorsed Moitra in the meanwhile. Banerjee referred to the Krishnanagar MP as a "victim of politics" and said that Moitra have the necessary skills to "fight her own battles."

"I feel this step by the government at the national level and what I read of the ethics committee report, that they have said an investigation ought to occur against her," Banerjee added, accusing the BJP of scheming to harm Trinamool politicians. Why has an expulsion been suggested if you have nothing against Mahua (Moitra) and it is the topic of an investigation? Mahua is capable of fighting her own fights, in my opinion. They have been abusing me for the last four years as well; it is part of their routine," he informed the press.

principal accusations

The real estate developer Darshan Hiranandani allegedly gave BJP MP Nishikant Dubey presents in kind and cash in exchange for Moitra's inquiries in Parliament about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire Gautam Adani. Additionally, Dubey charged Moitra with giving Hiranandani access to her Lok Sabha login credentials.

It is not within the authority of the Ethics Committee to administer sanctions. It will forward its suggestions to the Parliament, which will make a decision. Moitra may be removed from the Lok Sabha by the Parliament if she is found guilty of misconduct. "The Member has the right to contest her expulsion. She can only challenge it if there was a complete denial of natural justice or if the Committee's methods were illegal or unconstitutional, according to PDT Achary, Secretary General of the 14th and 15th Lok Sabhas, who spoke to Indian Express.

Previous example

Eleven members of Parliament were accused in 2005 of accepting bribes in exchange for asking questions in Parliament. These members included Chhatarpal Singh Lodha (BJP), Anna Saheb M K Patil (BJP), Manoj Kumar (RJD), Chandra Pratap Singh (BJP), Ram Sewak Singh (Congress), Narender Kumar Kushwaha (BSP), Pradeep Gandhi (BJP), Suresh Chandel (BJP), Lal Chandra Kol (BSP), YG Mahajan (BJP), alongside Raja Rampal (BSP).

Ten members of the Rajya Sabha were subsequently ousted, and Lodha was also dismissed from the Lok Sabha. The MPs had petitioned against being kicked out. On the other hand, the Parliament judgment was affirmed by the 2007 Supreme Court verdict.