Mahua Moitra on cash-for-query row: Parl Committees do not have jurisdiction to probe alleged criminality

Moitra, who is expected to appear before the panel on November 2, said this in a letter to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee chairperson.

The firebrand TMC MP shared the letter on her personal X handle.

Moitra writes in the letter, "There is also the question of whether the Ethics Committee is the appropriate forum to examine allegations of alleged criminality.

"I wish to respectfully remind you that Parliamentary Committees do not have criminal jurisdiction and have no mandate to investigate alleged criminality. This can only be done by law enforcement agencies."

Moitra has also wished to cross-examine businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who accused the parliamentarian of taking questions from him to ask in the Lok Sabha.

She wrote, "I wish to place on record that in keeping with the principles of natural justice I wish to exercise my right to cross-examine Shri Hiranandani.

"I wish to place on record that I am requesting the Committee to answer in writing and place on record their decision to either allow or disallow such cross examination."

The controversy surrounding Moitra kickstarted after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on October 15 accused the TMC leader, who is known for her fiery speeches in Parliament, of asking questions on businessman Gautam Adani in Parliament in exchange for money.

Dubey, a three term MP from Jharkhand's Godda constituency, cited a letter from Moitra's estranged partner Jai Anant Dehadrai, a Supreme Court lawyer, in claiming that Moitra received bribes.

Amid the row, Moitra, an MP from West Bengal's Krishnanagar constituency, on Friday admitted she gave her Parliament login details to Hiranandani but refuted the bribery allegations.

She told India Today, "Someone in Darshan Hiranandani's office typed the question which I gave on the Parliament website. After putting the question, they would call me to inform and I would read all the questions in one go as I am always busy in my constituency.

"After putting the question, an OTP (one-time password) comes on my mobile phone. I would give that OTP and only then is the question submitted. So, the idea that Darshan would log in to my ID and put in questions of his own is ludicrous."

Speaking to India Today, Moitra said she received gifts in the form of "one scarf, a lipstick and eyeshadow" from Darshan, who was her "close personal friend".

"The only things I have received from Darshan as a close personal friend was one scarf for my birthday present three or four years ago, then he called from the Dubai airport asking if I wanted something.

"There is a brand called Bobbi Brown and he bought me a lipstick from the brand, and eye shadow," Moitra told the English news channel.