Vinod Sonkar, the Chairman of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, has informed India Today that he has received a letter from businessman Darshan Hiranandani concerning allegations against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in the ongoing cash-for-query controversy. Sonkar characterized the letter as a "sworn affidavit" and indicated that the decision to summon the TMC MP for questioning would depend on the statements made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai on October 26. The decision will be based on the evidence they provide to substantiate their accusations against Moitra.
In response to Sonkar's statement, Moitra took to social media, sharing a document titled 'Evidence, report, and proceedings treated as confidential' on X (formerly Twitter). She expressed concern about how the "affidavit" found its way to the media and suggested that an investigation should be conducted into how it was leaked. Moitra went on to assert that the BJP's primary goal is to expel her from the Lok Sabha in an attempt to silence her regarding Adani-related matters.
Earlier in the day, Sonkar mentioned that the Ethics panel would investigate the matter as it is indeed a "serious matter." The committee has called on parties to submit evidence for consideration.
This controversy arose after Dubey alleged that Moitra accepted bribes from Hiranandani to speak in Parliament, particularly concerning the Adani Group, a rival of the Hiranandani Group. The allegations were based on Dehadrai's letter, which claimed to contain "irrefutable" evidence of bribe exchanges between Moitra and the businessman.
Moitra has consistently refuted the accusations and pointed the finger at "fake degree MP" Dubey and her "jilted ex" Dehadrai for creating the controversy.
In her letter to the Ethics Panel, Moitra questioned the authenticity of Hiranandani's letter, noting that it was written on plain paper and was not on official letterhead, nor was it notarized. She labeled its contents as a "joke" and alleged that Hiranandani was coerced to sign the letter, which had been drafted by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) as a ploy to target her. Moitra contended that the BJP government is keen to silence her on the Adani issue.
In a new twist to the ongoing cash-for-query controversy, Moitra's lawyer withdrew from a defamation case she had filed regarding the bribery allegations. The dramatic development was rooted in a "conflict of interest" claim in court. The next hearing is scheduled for October 31.
Dehadrai, who is believed to be Moitra's estranged partner, revealed to the Delhi High Court that senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Moitra, had approached him to drop the CBI complaint against her. This revelation left the judge, Justice Sachin Datta, appalled and prompted Sankaranarayanan to withdraw from the case.
Moitra and Dehadrai have been embroiled in legal disputes, which reportedly include conflicts over their pet dog, a Rottweiler named 'Henry.' Over the past six months, Moitra has filed multiple police complaints against the Supreme Court lawyer, alleging criminal trespass, theft, vulgar messages, and abuse, according to sources within the TMC.
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