New Delhi: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who has been summoned by the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on 31 October in connection with the ‘cash-for-query’ allegations against her, has sought a later date, after 5 November, to depose. She has also called for the cross-examination of industrialist Darshan Hiranandani regarding the affidavit he submitted in the case.
She also referred to the allegations against her as a “motivated and malicious slander campaign”, adding that “it is vital for the fabric of Indian democracy that I am allowed to defend myself and clear my name”.
Moitra has been accused by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey of receiving “cash and gifts” from Hiranandani for raising questions on the Adani group in Parliament. In his affidavit filed before the ethics committee, Hiranandani has claimed Moitra targeted industrialist Gautam Adani to “malign and embarrass” Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose “impeccable reputation” gave the Opposition no opportunity to attack him. Moitra has dismissed the affidavit, saying Hiranandani was coerced to write it.
In her letter to Lok Sabha Ethics Committee chairperson Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Moitra refers to Hiranandani’s affidavit — which was widely circulated on social media — as “extremely scant on detail”.
“His affidavit…provides no actual inventory of what he has allegedly given me,” wrote the TMC MP. “Given the seriousness of the allegations and in keeping with the principles of natural justice, it is imperative that I am allowed to exercise my right to cross-examine Shri Hiranandani. It is also imperative that he appear before the committee and provide a detailed verified list of the alleged gifts and favours he allegedly provided to me.”
Moitra in her letter further stated that any inquiry without the oral evidence of Hiranandani will be “incomplete, unfair and akin to holding a proverbial kangaroo court”.
The ethics panel has already heard BJP MP Dubey and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, Moitra former partner. This, the MP wrote, was “against the order of natural justice”.
“…if I may humbly add, (the committee) summoned and heard the complainants Shri Dubai (Dubey) & Shri Dehadrai on 26/10/2023 before allowing me, the alleged accused, a chance to be heard,” she wrote.
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‘It is vital that I be allowed to clear my name’
Moitra sought a later date to appear before the ethics committee citing the example of BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, who was summoned by the privileges committee over his controversial remarks against BSP’s Danish Ali, but was given a later date due to his pre-fixed political engagements.
The MP wrote: “I represent the state of West Bengal where Durga Puja is the biggest festival. I am already committed to attending numerous pre-scheduled Vijay Dashami Sammelans/meetings (both government and political) in my constituency from 30th October to 4th November 2023 and cannot be in Delhi on 31st October 2023.”
She added, “Therefore, I request to be given time to appear in person before the committee at any date and time of the committee’s choice after 5th November 2023.”
Moitra further wrote: “Given that I am a vocal member of the Opposition responsible for raising my voice against various corporate scams and issues pertaining to national importance, it is vital for the fabric of Indian democracy that I am allowed to defend myself and clear my name in the face of this motivated and malicious slander campaign against me.”
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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