Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday appeared before the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha. Moitra, who is at the centre of the bribe-for-questions row, appeared before the committee as part of its ongoing probe into the allegations against the Trinamool MP.

The inquiry revolves around allegations of her involvement in a cash-for-query scandal, where she stands accused of accepting bribes in exchange for asking questions in Parliament. The probe comes following a complaint against her filed before the Lok Sabha Speaker by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.

Also Read: Cash-for-query row: Ethics panel asks Mahua Moitra to appear on Nov 2, says no further extension will be granted

Moitra had requested a summon date post-November 5, citing prior commitments related to Vijaya Dashami programmes. However, the Ethics Committee declined her request and summoned her on November 2.

The House panel is investigating claims made by Dubey, who alleges that Moitra accepted bribes and favours for asking questions in the Lok Sabha at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani.

Also Read: Ethics panel summons TMC leader Mahua Moitra in cash-for-query row on October 31

While Moitra has admitted that she shared her log-in credentials with Hiranandani, whom she has described as a close friend for a long time, she has ruled out any pecuniary motive and asserted that the questions were always hers. Moitra has also claimed that the Adani Group is behind the “bogus” charges due to her strident criticism of the business conglomerate.

In a formal letter submitted to the Ethics Committee, Mahua Moitra expressed her intention to “cross-examine” businessman Darshan Hiranandani, the CEO of the Hiranandani Group. She also requested to cross-examine Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai.

Furthermore, she raised questions about the ethics panel as the proper forum to investigate alleged criminal activities. She said that if the inquiry relies on any document from any department, she should be provided with a copy and allowed to cross-examine the relevant department.

Prior to her scheduled appearance, Nishikant Dubey took to social media platform X stating, “Now even Sukesh Chandrashekhar (thug) is demanding cross-examination.”