In a recent development, the Supreme Court has declined to expedite the hearing of Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra’s plea challenging her expulsion from the Lok Sabha. This decision comes after the Lok Sabha, on December 8, adopted a resolution to expel Moitra based on the Ethics Committee’s report, which found her guilty of accepting gifts and illegal gratification from businessman Darshan Hiranandani.
Also read- Supreme Court To Review Mahua Moitra’s Urgent Plea Against Lok Sabha Expulsion (lawchakra.in)
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Moitra, sought an urgent hearing of the petition before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, requesting a listing for either Thursday or Friday. However, the bench, led by the CJI, did not grant an immediate hearing but asked Singhvi to submit the request via email.
“The matter may not have been registered. If an email was sent, I would look at it right away. Please send it. I’ll look at it,”
the CJI stated.
Earlier, Singhvi had approached a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul with the same request. Justice Kaul, however, directed Singhvi to approach the CJI for necessary directions regarding the listing of the matter. The urgency of the request is underscored by the upcoming winter vacation of the Supreme Court, starting December 15.
The Ethics Committee’s recommendation for Moitra’s expulsion followed a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, who alleged that Moitra had accepted cash in exchange for asking certain questions in parliament. The Committee accused Moitra of posing several queries concerning the Adani group of companies at the behest of Hiranandani and sharing her Lok Sabha login credentials with him. The Committee deemed Moitra’s actions as warranting “severe punishment” and recommended an
“intense, legal, institutional inquiry by the Government of India in a time-bound manner.”
Moitra has vehemently denied these allegations, leading to her seeking judicial intervention from the Supreme Court. The case has garnered significant attention, highlighting the intricate dynamics of parliamentary ethics and the legal recourse available to MPs facing disciplinary actions. The Supreme Court’s eventual hearing of this matter will be closely monitored, as it holds substantial implications for parliamentary conduct and the legal framework governing it.
