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TMC MP Mahua Moitra and journalist Rajdeep Sardesai as a critical piece of evidence in the unfolding cash-for-query case.
NEW DELHI: The Ethics Committee of Parliament is set to use an interview of TMC MP Mahua Moitra by Rajdeep Sardesai as a key piece of evidence against her in the cash-for-query case. In the interview, Moitra admitted to getting gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani, such as a Hermes scarf, a Bobbi Brown lipstick and eye shadow, and makeup articles.
The video, which was aired by India Today and is available on YouTube, could seal Moitra’s fate as the committee is likely to recommend her expulsion from the Lok Sabha. The committee has found that Moitra took bribes from Hiranandani to ask questions in Parliament targeting the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The committee report stated, “Transfer of login credential to unauthorised elements could provide an opportunity to such elements to access the system leading to several potential hazards.”
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Moreover, the committee has uncovered an array of demands made by Moitra to Hiranandani, the report said, “Darshan Hiranandani had gifted her (Moitra) ‘Hermes Brand Scarf’, ‘Bobbi Brown Brand’ Lipstick, and eye shadow, makeup articles. Whenever she was visiting Mumbai or Dubai, Shri Hiranandani also provided her car and while renovating her official bungalow, Shri Hiranandani also provided her layout drawings.”
The committee has pointed out the contradiction between Moitra’s and Hiranandani’s statements, as Moitra said she received the gifts and amenities, while Hiranandani said she asked for them. Hiranandani has confirmed his allegations in a notarized affidavit.
The committee has concluded that Moitra’s acceptance of illegal gratification from Hiranandani has been clearly established. The committee has said that Moitra’s behaviour was unethical, a breach of parliamentary privilege, and a contempt of the House. She also shared her official login credentials with Hiranandani, who could access her Members’ Portal and post parliamentary questions at his will. This amounts to quid pro quo and poses a threat to national security and parliamentary functioning.
Consequently, the committee has reached the unequivocal conclusion that Moitra’s acceptance of unlawful gratuities from Hiranandani stands as a clear violation of ethical standards. The committee has denounced Moitra’s conduct as unethical, a breach of parliamentary privilege, and a contempt of the House.
The section 66 of the IT Act is related to Computer related offences. It says that if any person, dishonestly or fraudulently, does any act referred to in section 43, he/she shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine which may extend to five lakh rupees or with both.
The section 43 of the IT Act is related to penalties and compensation for damage to a computer system. In this section, it has been mentioned that it will deal with downloads, copies, or extracts of any data, computer database, or information from such a computer, computer system, or computer network, including information or data held or stored in any removable storage medium.
The allegations are that Darshan Hiranandani allegedly accessed Mahua Moitra’s login ID. This could be seen as sensitive information that might have been downloaded and hence the committee has mentioned these two sections categorically.
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It further discovered that Moitra had shared her official login credentials with Hiranandani, allowing him access to her Members’ Portal to post parliamentary questions at his discretion. This arrangement amounts to a quid pro quo, posing a severe threat to national security and the smooth functioning of the parliamentary system.
