Mahua Moitra Challenges Expulsion from Lok Sabha Over Alleged Corruption

Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra has taken her controversial expulsion from the Lok Sabha to the Supreme Court, contesting her removal stemming from a ‘cash for query’ corruption case. The 49-year-old politician faced accusations of accepting bribes totaling ₹2 crore in cash and lavish gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani. These alleged inducements were purportedly tied to posing critical questions about the government in Parliament. Moreover, she was accused of divulging confidential log-in credentials, enabling Hiranandani to directly post questions through her parliamentary account.

While vehemently denying the bribery allegations, Moitra admitted to sharing the log-in details, citing it as common practice among Members of Parliament. However, a contentious Ethics Committee report castigated her, asserting that “allegations of accepting illegal gratification” were firmly established. The report contended that her actions amounted to a quid pro quo, deeming it unethical and unbecoming of an MP.

The tabling of this extensive 500-page report in the Lok Sabha sparked intense clashes between the opposition and the ruling BJP. Despite Moitra’s attempts to address the accusations within the House being rebuffed, she publicly criticized the ethics panel, accusing it of flouting rules and predicting potential CBI raids in the future. Concurrently, the CBI initiated an inquiry into the allegations against her.

Meanwhile, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Moitra’s party leader, condemned the expulsion as “unacceptable,” attributing it to the BJP’s vendetta politics and a blow to democracy. Banerjee insinuated that Moitra’s fierce criticism of the ruling party led to a premeditated expulsion orchestrated by the BJP, though she anticipated it to work in Moitra’s favor ahead of upcoming elections.

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