What Jai Dehadrai Told The Ethics Panel How He Was Aware Of Mahua-Hiranandani Connection  (image: twitter.com/jai_a_dehadrai)

Following the recommendations from the Ethics Panel report, Parliament on its fifth day of Winter session has expelled Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra from Lok Sabha in relation to cash-for-query allegations raised against her.

As the Ethics Committee began examining the case on October, in its first meeting, they questioned Mahua Moitra“s ex-partner and supreme court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, and they recorded their statements. When panel asked Jai Dehadrai whether he had any prior introduction with businessman Darshan Hiranandani and if so, when and in what situation, he had met Darshan Hiranandani, Jai Anant Dehadrai replied as follows:

“Hon”ble Chairperson Sir, in the three years that I knew Ms. Moitra, I have never met Mr. Hiranandani myself directly. Ms. Moitra had a very secretive relationship with Shri Hiranandani. They would talk secretively on the phone between each other. They would have secret meetings in Dubai and in other parts of the country. She was very particular that she would keep Mr. Hiranandani as far away from me as possible because I had expressed to her, not on one but on multiple occasions that I do not like the sort of people that she had started mingling with and meeting with in New Delhi. They were unsavoury characters whom I did not approve of. Therefore, she was very particular. However, when Shri Hiranandani would call Ms. Moitra, at that time, she was using a phone the earpiece of which was broken. She had to take calls on the speaker. So, I would end up hearing these conversations, not wanting to hear them but I had no choice. As I would be in close proximity, I would hear these conversations. So, no, Sir, I have not met Shri Hiranandani, as I can recall. To the best of my knowledge, I have never met Shri Hiranandani ever in my life”.

In the 500 page report, Panel”s proceedings, meetings, and discussion with concerned parties are observed. Journalist and author Meghnad in his X handle shared glimpses from the documents for public.

“They (Mahua Moitra & Darshan Hiranandani) would talk secretly on the phone… she would take calls on the speaker. So I would end up hearing these conversations.”

ok then. pic.twitter.com/A3B8tYNCIg

— meghnad 🔗 (@Memeghnad) December 8, 2023