Ethics Committee

Table of contents

Context (IE): The Ethics Committee of the LS has summoned Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra regarding allegations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee consists of fifteen MPs nominated by the Speaker for a period of one year.

Procedure for complaints

Any person can complain against a Member through another LS MP, with evidence of the alleged misconduct and an affidavit stating that the complaint is not “false, frivolous, or vexatious”.
If the Member himself complains, the affidavit is not needed.
The Speaker can refer a complaint against an MP to the Committee.
The Committee does not entertain complaints based only on media reports or sub judice matters.
The Committee makes a prima facie inquiry before examining a complaint.
It makes its recommendations after evaluating the complaint.
The Committee presents its report to the Speaker.
LS Speaker asks the House if the report should be considered.
There is also a provision for a half-hour discussion on the report.

The work of the Ethics Committee and the Privileges Committee often overlap.
An allegation of corruption against an MP can be sent to either body, but usually, more serious accusations go to the Privileges Committee.
The Ethics Committee can take up only cases of misconduct that involve MPs.

In 1997, then Vice President (and RS Chairman) K R Narayanan constituted the Ethics Committee of RS to oversee members’ moral and ethical conduct and examine cases of misconduct referred to it.
The Rules applicable to the Committee of Privileges also applied to the ethics panel.

The Committee of Privileges recommended the constitution of an Ethics Committee during the 13^th Lok Sabha.
In 2000, an ad hoc Ethics Committee was constituted. It became a permanent part of the LS in 2015.