Lok Sabha ethics panel suggests disqualification for TMC MP Mahua Moitra

Lok Sabha Ethics Committee voted 6-4 to expel TMC MP Mahua Moitra for sharing her Lok Sabha log-in credentials with unauthorised personnel. The report called this a "serious misdemeanor" and recommended "severe punishment". The panel also admonished its own member and BSP MP Danish Ali for "twisting/moulding the intent of question put forth by Chairperson". CPI (M) MP PR Natarajan expressed shock at the "unseemly haste" of the enquiry. The panel has left it to the GOI to investigate and establish the money trail.

Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, on November 9, adopted a report recommending expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha. The report was adopted with a 6-4 vote. The Congress MP Praneet Kaur voted in favour of report while the other four Opposition MPs submit dissent notes.

Ms. Moitra as per the report has been indicted for “unethical conduct” and “contempt of the House” for sharing her Lok Sabha log-in credentials with unauthorised personnel. The panel called this a “serious misdemeanor” and recommended “severe punishment”. “In view of highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct” the Committee has recommended “intense, legal, institutional inquiry by Government of India (GOI) in a time bound manner.”

The panel has left it for the central government to investigate and establish the money trail.

The panel has also admonished its own member and BSP MP Danish Ali for “twisting/moulding the intent of question put forth by Chairperson.”

CPI (M) MP PR Natarajan in his dissent note according to the sources expressed shock at the “unseemly haste and complete lack of propriety and legal requirements in which this so-called enquiry has been conducted.”