Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has taken a significant legal step by filing an urgent petition in the Supreme Court, challenging her recent expulsion from the Lok Sabha. This move follows allegations of procedural irregularities and unfairness in the conduct of the Parliament Ethics Committee and the subsequent House proceedings.
Moitra’s expulsion was based on charges of compromising national security by sharing her parliamentary portal login credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani. Additionally, she was accused of accepting bribes in the form of cash and other gifts from Hiranandani for raising questions in Parliament concerning the Adani Group’s Gautam Adani. This case, initially brought to light by Moitra’s friend Jai Anant Dehadrai, was later escalated to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
In her plea to the Supreme Court, Moitra alleges “substantial illegality” and “arbitrariness” in the Ethics Committee’s process and the Lok Sabha’s decision. Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Moitra, sought an expedited hearing of the case. He mentioned the petition before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, emphasizing the urgency due to the Supreme Court’s upcoming winter vacation. CJI Chandrachud responded,
“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 right away.”
The Lok Sabha, on October 8, passed a resolution to expel Mahua Moitra, following the Ethics Committee’s report on the ‘cash-for-query’ case. The Committee found her guilty of sharing her login credentials with unauthorized persons, thereby compromising national security, and accepting illegal gratification.
Moitra’s petition challenges the entire proceedings before the Ethics Panel. She argues that the panel did not call Hiranandani for testimony and relied solely on the allegations in the complaint, supported by an affidavit filed by Hiranandani. Moitra further alleges that she was not allowed to present her defense during the House discussion on the Ethics Committee’s findings.
The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter is eagerly awaited, as it will not only determine Moitra’s political future but also set a precedent for how parliamentary ethics cases are handled. This case underscores the delicate balance between maintaining parliamentary integrity and ensuring fair procedures for MPs accused of misconduct. The outcome will be a significant marker in India’s legislative and judicial history, highlighting the intersection of law, politics, and parliamentary ethics.
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