BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai are all set to appear before the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha on Thursday afternoon. This appearance comes in connection with Dubey’s earlier accusations, made in a letter to Speaker Om Birla earlier this month.

#WATCH | Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai arrives at Parliament to appear before the Ethics Committee in regard to the complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against TMC MP Mahua Moitra alleging that she has “a direct involvement in ‘cash for query’ in Parliament” pic.twitter.com/XDeJ7pvrRZ

— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2023

In the letter, he alleged that Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra accepted “bribes” to ask questions in Parliament targeting the Adani Group.

Also Read:‘Party’s appropriate decision after probe’: TMC on ‘cash-for-query’ allegations against Mahua Moitra

The Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee will address the “cash-for-query” accusation against TMC MP Mahua Moitra. BJP parliamentarian Nishikant Dubey, the complainant, and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai are scheduled to provide their statements.

#WATCH | Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai refuses to comment as he arrives at Parliament to appear before the Ethics Committee, in regard to the complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against TMC MP Mahua Moitra alleging that she has “a direct involvement in ‘cash for query’ in… pic.twitter.com/631xDBzRt7

— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2023

Dubey’s allegations, which he has also raised with Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Lokpal, are based on information provided by Dehadrai. These claims were subsequently substantiated by real estate developer Darshan Hiranandani, a Dubai resident, who issued an “affidavit” stating that Moitra provided him with her Parliament login and password to post questions on her behalf.

Also Read:NIC should release details of all MPs’ login locations: Mahua Moitra hits back at Nishikant Dubey

In his complaint to Speaker Om Birla, Dubey cited the documents shared by Dehadrai. Birla referred the matter to a committee headed by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar.

Dubey contends that the advocate has shared “indisputable evidence of bribes exchanged” between her and businessman Darshan Hiranandani, with an intention of targeting the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Also Read:‘Cash for query’ row: Parliamentary Committee summons Nishikant Dubey to provide ‘oral evidence’ against Mahua Moitra

The panel’s schedule for Thursday lists “Oral Evidence of Shri Jai Anant Dehadrai, Advocate in respect of complaint dated 15 October 2023 given by Dr. Nishikant Dubey, MP against Smt. Mahua Moitra, MP for alleged direct involvement in cash-for-query in Parliament” and “Oral evidence of Dr. Nishikant Dubey, MP, in respect of complaint dated 15 October 2023 given by him against Smt. Mahua Moitra, MP for alleged direct involvement in cash-for-query in Parliament,” PTI reported.

Moitra, known for her fiery demeanor, has dismissed the charges as “jilted ex’s lies,” alluding to her relationship with Dehadrai. She has accused the Adani Group of being behind these allegations to target her, as she has been relentless in raising questions about the conglomerate’s practices and transactions.

Also Read:‘Selective leak of a plea bargain’: Mahua Moitra on businessman’s affidavit

In a letter to the Speaker, Dubey pointed out that 50 of the 61 questions Moitra recently asked in the Lok Sabha were focused on the Adani Group.

In a signed affidavit, Hiranandani, the CEO of the eponymous real estate-to-energy group, who allegedly paid Moitra to raise questions in Parliament, acknowledged that the TMC leader targeted Gautam Adani to “malign and embarrass” Modi, whose impeccable reputation left the opposition with no opportunities to criticize him.

Cash-for-query controversy till now

A controversy erupted on October 15 when Dubey accused Moitra of receiving “cash and gifts in exchange for parliamentary questions” from businessman Darshan Hiranandani. He called upon Speaker Om Birla to establish an inquiry committee to investigate these allegations. Birla forwarded Dubey’s complaint to Parliament’s Ethics Committee.

Dubey cited a letter he received from Jai Anant Dehadrai, a Supreme Court lawyer, which he described as containing “indisputable” evidence of bribes offered to Moitra.

The situation escalated when Darshan Hiranandani, the CEO of the Hiranandani Group, alleged in a letter that Moitra targeted Gautam Adani to tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unblemished reputation, which left the opposition with no grounds for criticism.

Moitra, however, questioned the authenticity of Hiranandani’s affidavit, asserting that it was “drafted by the PMO” and that he signed it under duress, fearing a “complete shutdown” of his family’s businesses.

The TMC stated that it would take appropriate action following the conclusion of the Parliamentary Ethics Committee’s investigation.

(With PTI Inputs)