Lok Sabha Ethics panel report on Mahua Moitra submitted to Speaker Birla's office

Lok Sabha's Ethics Committee Chairman Vinod Kumar Sonkar has submitted the report of the panel on the 'cash-for-query' allegation against TMC MP Mahua Moitra to the office of Speaker Om Birla, sources said on November 10. The Committee, at a meeting on November 9, had adopted by majority the report that recommended Moitra's expulsion from the House for accepting "illegal gratifications" from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to raise questions in Parliament at his behest.

The committee recommended Moitra's expulsion from the Lok Sabha for "unethical conduct" and "contempt of the House '. Six of the 10 members present at the Committee meeting on November 9 voted in support of the 479-page report while four opposition members recorded their disapproval.

According to sources, Birla is in Kota and is likely to return to the national capital after Diwali (Nov 12), following which he is expected to take action on the report.