The Delhi High Court dealt a significant blow to expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra's legal battle on Monday by dismissing her plea seeking to curb BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai from making defamatory remarks against her regarding the cash-for-query scam case.
This decision comes amidst Moitra's ongoing challenge to her expulsion by the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee in December 2023, which was rooted in allegations of accepting a bribe from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for posing questions in Parliament.
The Ethics Committee's expulsion of Mahua Moitra was based on damning accusations, including the assertion that she shared her Lok Sabha login credentials with an unauthorized individual, constituting what was deemed "Unethical Conduct" and "Contempt of the House."
The committee's report further called for an exhaustive investigation into the alleged financial transactions between Moitra and Hiranandani, labeling it a potential case of "quid pro quo."
In response to these accusations, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated a preliminary inquiry into Mahua Moitra's conduct. Recently, Moitra provided responses to the CBI's inquiries, which are currently under scrutiny by the agency.
The CBI is expected to compile a comprehensive report based on its findings, which will be submitted to the anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal, who initially referred the case.
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra has vehemently denied all allegations against her and has taken legal action against Nishikant Dubey, Jai Anant Dehadrai, and various media outlets for spreading what she perceives as defamatory information.
She has also raised concerns with Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, accusing BJP MP Nishikant Dubey of exploiting the situation for political gains. As the legal battle intensifies, the cash-for-query scandal continues to cast a shadow over Indian politics, underscoring the importance of ethical conduct and transparency among public officials. With each development, the stakes are raised, shaping the narrative of accountability and integrity in the country's democratic framework.
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