Kolkata: The Delhi High Court delivered a blow to Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra on Monday, dismissing her plea to restrain Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey and lawyer Anant Dehadrai from spreading accusations that she accepted bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for posing critical questions in Parliament.

An ethics panel recommended the expulsion of the former MP after allegations surfaced of her involvement in accepting bribes, including a reported ₹2 crore in cash and various luxury items, in return for raising questions that were detrimental to the Narendra Modi-led government. Additionally, Moitra faced accusations of divulging confidential log-in credentials for the parliamentary website, enabling Hiranandani to submit questions directly.

The Ethics Committee's report concluded that the allegations of accepting illegal gratification were incontrovertibly established, and the act of receiving gifts from a businessman to whom she provided log-in details constituted a clear case of quid pro quo. Such behavior, the report deemed, was unbecoming of a Member of Parliament and constituted unethical conduct.

Despite vehemently denying the bribery allegations, Moitra admitted to sharing the log-in details, asserting that such practices were commonplace among MPs. However, her defense failed to sway the Ethics Committee's findings.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who leads Moitra's party, condemned the expulsion as unacceptable and accused the BJP of engaging in vendetta politics that undermined democratic principles.

The Delhi High Court's decision not to intervene in the dissemination of bribery allegations against Mahua Moitra further complicates the political landscape, as the Trinamool leader faces serious accusations that could tarnish her reputation and political career.

Maharashtra Govt Investigates Alleged Misuse of Reservation Benefits by ST Students

After all, on what matter did the father bring himself down with the children to death?

Rahul Gandhi's Misleading Comparison: MSP vs. MRP in Agricultural Policy Discourse