Mahua Moitra Saga Explained: What is cash-for-query scandal, reasons for expulsion, and what lies ahead for her

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha on Friday following a discussion on the Ethics Committee’s report regarding the ‘cash-for-query’ issue. The report, tabled in the Lower House, triggered a heated debate where Moitra was notably not given the opportunity to speak.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, in response to the contentious discussion, proposed a motion to expel Moitra for “unethical conduct.” The motion was subsequently adopted through a voice vote. As the Lok Sabha speaker initiated the voting process, opposition members walked out in protest.

The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha had previously recommended Moitra’s expulsion from the House in connection with the “cash-for-query” allegation. The controversy revolved around accusations that Moitra engaged in unethical conduct related to parliamentary queries in exchange for financial favors.

Also Read: Lok Sabha expels Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra from House for ‘unethical conduct’Moitra’s reactionMahua Moitra, who was denied an opportunity to speak during the House discussion, expressed her response outside the Lok Sabha. The Trinamool leader, reading out her statement, accused the Ethics Committee of breaking every rule in its proceedings.

In her statement, Moitra contested the Ethics Committee’s actions, alleging violations of procedural rules.

“I am 49 years old, I will fight you for the next 30 years inside Parliament, outside Parliament,” said Moitra after being expelled from the house. “The Ethics Committee has no power to expel. This is the beginning of your(BJP) end,” she remarked.

“If this Modi government thought that by shutting me up they could do away with the Adani issue, let me tell you this that this kangaroo court has only shown to all of India that the haste and the abuse of due process you have used demonstrates how important Adani is to you. And to what length you will go to harass a single woman MP into shutting her into submission,” she said.

Also Read: Mahua Moitra, a former banker, who lost her Lok Sabha account over a ‘dog fight’What is cash-for-query scam? Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha came following allegations of accepting cash and gifts from industrialist Darshan Hiranandani. The claims suggested that Moitra, in exchange for favors, allowed Hiranandani to use her Parliament login to post questions against Gautam Adani and the Adani Group.

The initial complaint was lodged by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey forwarded the complaint to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The matter was subsequently transferred to the ethics committee for investigation. After questioning Nishikant Dubey, Jai Anant Dehadrai, and Mahua Moitra, the ethics committee recommended Moitra’s expulsion.On Friday, the Lok Sabha took up the ethics committee’s report, leading to Moitra’s expulsion. Also Read: Mahua Moitra is no longer an MP now: What’s the road ahead for TMC firebrand leaderHere’s when it all started (Timeline)October 15: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey filed a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against Mahua Moitra. Allegations surface that Moitra received cash and gifts from Darshan Hiranandani to pose questions against Adani in the Lok Sabha.October 17, 2023: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla directed the complaint to the Ethics Committee for investigation.

October 19, 2023: Darshan Hiranandani submitted an affidavit, admitting to using Moitra’s Parliament login to post questions on the Parliament site.October 23-31, 2023: Moitra confessed in media interviews that she shared her Parliament login credentials with Hiranandani. Furthermore, she clarified that the purpose was to seek assistance from his office for uploading her own questions, denying any cash transactions.November 2, 2023: Mahua Moitra appeared before the Ethics Committee. Following a discussion, she walked out of the ethics panel meeting, alleging that she was subjected to personal questions.November 9, 2023: The Ethics Committee endorsed a report recommending the suspension of Mahua Moitra.December 4, 2023: The Winter session of the Parliament commenced. The Ethics Committee report was supposed to be tabled but was delayed to Friday i.e. December 8, 2023.December 8, 2023: The Ethics Committee report was presented in the Lok Sabha for debate. Following deliberations, Mahua Moitra was officially expelled from the Lok Sabha.

What next for Moitra?The legal experts suggest that the TMC leader may contest this decision in a court of law. The crux of her potential legal argument lies in the assertion that there is a lack of evidence supporting the allegations of receiving cash or gifts.Minutes after her expulsion as a Lok Sabha member, Moitra said she has been found guilty of breaching a code of ethics that does not exist and that there was no evidence of cash or gift given to her.