Cash-for-query case: Lok Sabha panel asks Mahua Moitra to appear on Nov 2, says no further extension will be granted

Mahua Moitra. Pic/X@MahuaMoitra

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on Saturday asked Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra to appear before it on November 2 instead of October 31 in the cash-for-query case, but asserted no further extension would be granted, reported news agency PTI.

Moitra had on Friday written to the Ethics Committee, which is probing the allegations against her, expressing her inability to appear before it on October 31, saying she will be available only after November 5, reported PTI.

In its response, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee extended the date of appearance by three days, asking her to depose before it on November 2, reported PTI.

The committee, however, said it will not entertain any request for further extension, reported PTI.

The panel is probing BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's allegations that Moitra accepted bribes and favours for asking questions in Lok Sabha at the behest of businessman Hiranandani. On Thursday, Dubey, and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai gave "oral evidence" to the panel against the Trinamool Congress MP, reported PTI.

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", reported PTI.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Friday wrote to the Lok Sabha's Ethics Committee that is probing 'cash-for-query' allegations against her and expressed her inability to appear before it on October 31, saying she will be available only after November 5.

In her letter to panel chairperson Vinod Sonkar, Moitra said she "eagerly looks forward to physically attending and presenting her defence against the slanderous charges" and that she should be allowed to exercise her right to cross-examine businessman Darshan Hiranandani.

She also said Hiranandani should appear before the committee and provide a "detailed verified list of the alleged gifts & favours he allegedly provided to me".

A day after Sonkar announced that she has been summoned on October 31, Moitra, in a post on X said is busy till November 4 on account of Durga Puja celebrations going on in West Bengal. In her letter, she said she would be available only after November 5.

She was in the Parliament House complex on Friday, apparently to submit the letter.

Sharing a copy of her letter on X, Moitra said, "Chairman, Ethics Comm announced my 31/10 summons on live TV, way before the official letter emailed to me at 19:20 hrs. All complaints & suo moto affidavits were also released to the media. I look forward to deposing immediately after my pre-scheduled constituency programmes end on Nov 4".

(With inputs from PTI)