Lok Sabha expels TMC MP Mahua Moitra in "cash-for-query" scam

The Lok Sabha voted to expel Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra following allegations of unethical conduct including sharing credentials and accepting gifts from a businessman to influence decisionsThe Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha had recommended Moitras expulsion specifically citing a cashforquery scandalThe parliamentary proceedings unfolded with a heated debate during which Moitra was notably denied the opportunity to speak Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi leading the charge moved a motion for Moitras expulsion emphasizing the need to address the issue of unethical conductThe motion garnered approval through a voice vote prompting opposition members to walk out in protest as the voting process commencedEarlier the Ethics Committee had presented a comprehensive 495page report to the House recommending Moitras expulsion The report was discussed in the Lok Sabha with opposition members seeking additional time to scrutinize the extensive document However the Speaker Om Birla stressed the importance of upholding the dignity of the House and initiated the debate on the reportDespite calls from Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for a three to fourday delay to allow members to thoroughly review the reports contents the Speaker proceeded with the discussion In a letter to Speaker Birla Chowdhury argued that the expulsion of a member is a serious punishment with wide ramifications and urged sufficient time for members to prepare for the crucial debateIn his letter Chowdhury said It is understood that the Ethics Committee Report runs into over 104 pages with a number of annexures and other documents attached You will appreciate Sir members to effectively take part in the discussion on the report need adequate time to go through the contents of the reportConsidering the seriousness and importance of the matter I would request that members may be given sufficient time of three to four days at least to study the report and prepare themselves for the discussion in the House he told the Speaker in the letterAlso read Livein relationship dangerous disease should be law against it BJP MP in Lok SabhaI would therefore request you to fix a day and time at least three days from now for taking up the discussion on the Ethics Committee Report Chowdhury saidThe Congress leader who is also the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee had earlier written to the Speaker saying expulsion is an extremely serious punishment and has very wide ramificationsParliamentary Affairs Minister Joshi later in the afternoon moved the motion for discussion on the Ethics Committees report seeking Moitras expulsion Speaker Birla reiterated the necessity of taking strict measures to uphold the dignity of the House and expressed regret that such matters had to be addressedThe controversy surrounding Moitra revolved around allegations of her sharing credentials and accepting gifts from a businessman in exchange for favors The cashforquery scandal raised ethical concerns leading to the Ethics Committees recommendation for expulsion