In a recent development, Nishikant Dubey, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has raised concerns about alleged efforts to manipulate witnesses in the ongoing ‘Cash-for-Query’ case. This case has garnered significant attention in Indian politics, as it revolves around allegations of bribery and unethical conduct by some MPs.
Nishikant Dubey, who is not directly involved in the case but has been vocal about the ethical standards in politics, has called upon the Lok Sabha speaker to take necessary actions to address this matter. Witness manipulation, if proven, could undermine the integrity of the investigation and the justice system as a whole. It is essential to maintain the credibility of the legal process.
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra, a prominent MP from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a key figure in the ‘Cash-for-Query’ scandal, has requested an extension for her appearance before the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha. She was initially summoned to appear on October 31 to address the allegations against her in this ongoing scandal. The extension request raises questions about the progress of the investigation and the timeline for resolving this contentious issue.
On Friday, the Ethics Committee took further steps in the investigation by requesting Mahua Moitra’s logins and location details from the Information Technology (IT) and Home Ministries. These details are sought in connection with the allegations of “cash-for-query” against the TMC MP. The committee’s actions reflect its commitment to conducting a thorough and comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, established in 1997, plays a crucial role in ensuring the ethical conduct of its members. Its primary purpose is to monitor and supervise the moral and ethical behavior of MPs. This includes reviewing cases related to ethical misconduct and other breaches of conduct by members of the Lok Sabha.
The committee is led by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar and consists of several members from various political parties, ensuring a diverse and unbiased approach to its proceedings. The committee is responsible for upholding the ethical standards expected of MPs and addressing any violations thereof.
One of the fundamental functions of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is to review complaints against MPs. Any individual can file a complaint against an MP, but the complaint must be submitted through another Lok Sabha MP. Additionally, the complaint should include supporting evidence of the alleged misconduct and an affidavit confirming that the complaint is not frivolous or vexatious.
Once a complaint is filed, the committee conducts a preliminary inquiry to determine if there is a prima facie case. If no substantial evidence is found, the matter may be dropped. However, if the committee finds merit in the complaint, it proceeds with a more detailed investigation.
The committee submits its report to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who seeks the House’s opinion on whether the report should be deliberated. This deliberation can include a 30-minute discussion on the report and its findings. The process ensures transparency and accountability in addressing ethical breaches by MPs.