Ethics
“Cash for Query” Case
- 09 Jan 2024
- 2 min read
A "cash for query" case involves accusing an individual of accepting payment in exchange for posing questions in Parliament. In a recent incident, a female Member of Parliament faced accusations of receiving bribes for raising critical questions about the government during parliamentary sessions. The allegations suggested that she had accepted bribes, including lavish gifts in return for her parliamentary inquiries.
The Lok Sabha's Ethics Committee conducted an inquiry into the cash-for-query accusations against her, finding the member guilty of "unethical conduct" and contempt of the House. The investigation revealed that she had shared her Lok Sabha credentials, including the user ID and password of the Lok Sabha Member's portal, with unauthorized individuals. The committee reportedly concluded their final report by recommending her expulsion.
Nevertheless, the member argued that she was not given a chance to address the House during the discussion and asserted that the Ethics Committee's report was "fundamentally flawed" because it lacked the authority to propose the expulsion of a member.
Do you think that the acceptance of gifts in return for posing questions compromises the integrity of parliamentary ethics? What steps would you suggest to enhance public trust in the democratic process of parliamentary proceedings?
