Lok Sabha ethics panel calls Mahua Moitra on Nov 2, says ‘won’t entertain…’

New Delhi: The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha has summoned Mahua Moitra on November 2, to depose before it in connection with the cash-for-query scandal. Responding to the Trinamool Congress MP’s submission that she won’t be able to appear before the panel until November 5, the panel said it will “entertain no request for extension in date of appearance beyond November 2”.

“The undersigned is directed to refer to your letter dated 27 October, 2023, on the above mentioned subject/reference and to state that Honourable Chairperson, Committee on Ethics has acceded to your request for extension of date for appearing before the Committee on Ethics, i.e, rescheduling the sitting of the Committee. It has, accordingly, been decided to hear you in the above matter, in person, on 2 November, 2023 at 1100 hours in Committee Room 2, Parliament House Annexe Extension, New Delhi,” the panel’s notification reads.

The panel added that given the “seriousness of the matter”, further request for extension of date would not be entertained.

“The chairperson has also directed the undersigned to convey you that keeping in view the seriousness of the matter, having implications on the dignity of Parliament as well as its Members, any further request for extension of date for appearing before the Committee, which is, rescheduling the sitting of the Committee for any reason whatsoever would not be entertained,” it added.

The panel initially summoned her before it on October 31, to record oral evidence over BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s allegations that she had accepted money and gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in return for questions in Parliament. Dubey had lodged an official complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, citing ‘evidence’ furnished by her estranged friend Jai Anant Dehadrai.

Both Dubey and Dehadrai deposed before the panel on Friday.

In response to the notice, Moitra expressed her inability to meet the panel on October 31 citing prior commitments.

“I represent the state of West Bengal where Durga Puja is the biggest festival. I am already committed to attending numerous pre-scheduled Vijaya 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,” Mahua Moitra wrote.