Mahua Moitra asks ethics panel permission to cross-examine Hiranandani

Moitra has raised this demand in a letter to the parliamentary panel before her hearing tomorrow, which she released on the X (formerly Twitter) platform. She also explained that she was releasing this letter on a public platform since the "Ethics Committee deemed it fit to release my summons to the media, I think it is important I too release my letter to the Committee before my hearing' tomorrow".

The TMC MP wrote in the letter that considering the seriousness of the allegations against her, it is "imperative" that she cross-examines alleged 'bribe-giver' Hiranandani who has given "scant details and no documentary evidence" to back his claims. So, in keeping with the principles of natural justice she wanted to exercise her right to cross-examine Hiranandani, she wrote.

The businessman has alleged Moitra took questions from him to ask in Parliament, and also admitted he used the TMC MP's parliamentary login ID and password to post questions from Dubai.

Also, Moitra has asked permission to cross-examine Supreme Court lawyer Jai Dehadrai too, who has not provided any documented evidence against her, she alleged. The letter has been addressed to the committee chairperson Vinod Kumar Sonkar.

Above all, she questioned whether the Lok Sabha ethics committee probing the cash-for-query allegations against her have the powers to examine allegations of alleged criminality.

"There is also the question of whether the Ethics Committee is the "appropriate forum to examine allegations of alleged criminality".

"I wish to respectfully remind you that parliamentary committees do not have criminal jurisdiction and have no mandate to investigate alleged criminality. This can only be done by law enforcement agencies," she wrote.

"This check was specifically created by our nation's founders to prevent the slightest misuse of committees by governments enjoying a brute majority in parliament," Moitra added. She also pointed out that the ethics committee is supposed to frame a code of conduct for members which they have not done till date and alleged that the panel has not had any sittings for the past two years.

Moitra further alleged the Lok Sabha's ethics committee was “forcing" her to appear before it despite her request to extend the date of hearing on the matter. She pointed out that a very "different approach" was being adopted by the committee in the case of BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri.

Bidhuri, who has a "very serious complaint of hate speech" pending against him in the Privileges and Ethics branch was summoned on October 10 in the case but he had excused himself saying he was busy campaigning in Rajasthan. According to Moitra, till date, the hearing in his case has not been held. She went on to add that "this double standards reek of political motives and do little to enhance the credibility of the Privileges and Ethics branch", she wrote.

Supreme Court lawyer Dehadrai, who had first complained to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) about Moitra allegedly taking cash for posing questions in Parliament, was cross-examined by the ethics committee on October 26. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who asked for an investigation into the allegations against Moitra has also given oral given evidence.

Dubey had cited "irrefutable evidence" presented by Dehadrai, while accusing Moitra of taking bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group. Moitra has refuted these allegations.