'Panel recommends expulsion of Mahua Moitra': Here's what may happen next

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee has reportedly recommended the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra from the House in the "cash-for-query" matter. This is perhaps the first time the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha has recommended the expulsion of an MP.

The committee, headed by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, today adopted its report recommending Moitra's expulsion. After the meeting, Sonkar told reporters that six members of the panel supported adoption of the report and four opposed it.

Four opposition members said the panel's recommendation was "prejudiced" and "incorrect".


According to sources, Preneet Kaur, a Congress MP, is believed to have voted in support of the report.

The panel has reportedly recommended Moitra's expulsion from the Lok Sabha.

This is the first time when the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee has recommendation the expulsion of an MP.

In 2005, 11 MPs were expelled from Parliament in another "cash-for-query" case but those expulsions were recommended by the Rajya Sabha Ethics Committee and a Lok Sabha Inquiry Committee.

Here is what may happen now:

• The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee report will now be sent to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The speaker may order that it be published.

• As per rules, the committee chairman will table the report in the House during the next session of Parliament.

• Thereafter the house will debate on the report findings. After the debate, the government may move a motion for voting on member's expulsion.

• If voted in favour, the member will be explelled from the House.

• Mahua can challenge the decision in the court of law