In a significant development concerning Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha, the Supreme Court has directed the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat to provide a response to her plea against her removal from the Lower House. However, the Court refrained from granting immediate interim relief, thereby denying Moitra permission to attend the House proceedings.
A bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna granted a three-week period for the Lok Sabha Secretary General to furnish a response to Moitra’s petition challenging her expulsion. Yet, the Court withheld immediate interim relief, indicating that providing such relief would virtually favor Moitra’s petition against her expulsion.
The apex court’s decision came after Moitra sought interim relief, requesting permission to attend Lok Sabha sessions, emphasizing her right to participate in parliamentary proceedings.
Senior advocate AM Singhvi and advocate Shadan Farasat represented Moitra in the court proceedings. The Court’s decision marks a crucial step in the legal battle surrounding Moitra’s expulsion, shedding light on the complexity of the matter.
Moitra was ousted from the Lok Sabha on December 8 over alleged unethical conduct, specifically regarding the unauthorized sharing of Lok Sabha members’ portal credentials. The Ethics Committee recommended a government inquiry into her actions, deeming them “highly objectionable, unethical, heinous, and criminal.”
The motion moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi emphasized that Moitra’s conduct was unbecoming of an MP, echoing charges of accepting gifts and illegal gratification to promote the interests of a businessman.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, accusing Moitra of receiving cash and gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions in the Lok Sabha against Gautam Adani. Hiranandani, in an affidavit, claimed that Moitra had provided her login credentials for the Lok Sabha members’ portal, leading to the Central Bureau of Investigation initiating a preliminary FIR.
The Supreme Court’s directive for the Lok Sabha Secretary General’s response and its decision to withhold interim relief signal a pivotal juncture in the ongoing legal battle, setting the stage for further deliberations on Moitra’s expulsion from the Lower House.
