Ethics panel to table 'Cash-for-Query' probe report on 1st day of winter session

The report concerning the ‘cash-for-query’ scandal involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra will be presented by the Ethics Committee on December 4, the inaugural day of the Winter session of Parliament. Sources Revealed to TDG that prior to the commencement of the winter session, the Lok Sabha’s scheduled proceedings for December 4 outline Vinod Kumar Sonkar and Aparajita Sarangi presenting the initial report (available in Hindi and English) of the Ethics Committee.

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee forwarded its preliminary report linked to the ‘cash-for-query’ matter to Speaker Om Birla the previous month. According to sources, the committee has proposed Moitra’s expulsion from Parliament.

Following an investigation into the accusations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, the Ethics Committee recommended Moitra’s removal from the 17th Lok Sabha due to her alleged

“highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct.” The committee voted on this report prior to its adoption, with a majority of 6:4 endorsing it.

Committee chair Vinod Sonkar confirmed that among those supporting the report were members such as Preneet Kaur, the spouse of former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who is now associated with the BJP.