NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday said she will appear before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on November 2. The committee is looking into the cash-for-query complaint filed against the TMC leader by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Dubey had cited "irrefutable evidence" presented by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai to accuse her of taking bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group.
While agreeing to appear before the panel, Mahua also expressed her desire to cross-examine businessman Darshan Hiranandani over the allegations made against her in the cash-for-query case.
Mahua had earlier been asked to appear on October 31. However, she had expressed her inability to appear on October 31 and had informed the panel that she will be available only after November 5.
Moitra on Tuesday questioned whether the Ethics Committee is the appropriate forum to examine allegations of alleged criminality.
She pointed out that parliamentary committees lack criminal jurisdiction and emphasised the importance of involving law enforcement agencies in such cases.
"While registering my protest, I wish to inform you that I will respect the summons and appear before the Committee on November 2, 2023 at 11 am," she said.
On Thursday, Dubey and Dehadrai had given their "oral evidence" to the panel against Mahua.
Moitra has said she should be given "a fair hearing and an adequate opportunity to defend myself against the false, malicious and defamatory accusations levelled against me by Shri Dubey and Shri Dehadrai".
She has dismissed the charges against her while admitting, in remarks to media, that she shared her parliamentary portal login details with Hiranandani in connection with typing questions on her behalf as he has long been a friend.
She has, however, asserted that it was meant just to help her and rejected any quid pro quo.
(With inputs from agencies)
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