The Hindu : Front Page : RJD MP suspended for 30 sittings

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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RJD MP suspended for 30 sittings

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Rajesh Kumar Manjhi, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) member who undertook an official tour with a friend impersonating his wife, was reprimanded by the Lok Sabha and suspended for 30 sittings of the House.

The member was also restrained from taking his spouse or companion on official tours till the conclusion of the 14th Lok Sabha. This motion was moved by Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee with “a heavy heart” and adopted by a voice vote with Speaker Somnath Chatterjee observing that it was yet another “very sorry incident.”

Represents Gaya

Mr. Manjhi, representing the Gaya SC constituency of Bihar, was last week found guilty of cheating and impersonation by the Committee to Inquire into Misconduct of Members of the Lok Sabha, headed by V. Kishore Chandra S. Deo.

In the report, the Committee said Mr. Manjhi was guilty of undertaking air journeys from Delhi to Mumbai along with a woman impersonating his spouse on March 23, 2006 and February 21, 2007.

“These acts tantamount to cheating and impersonating which are penal offences as well as a conduct unbecoming of a member,” the Committee said, adding the member has “blatantly misused” the entitled facilities on a Committee tour.

It further held the MP guilty of having deliberately misled the Committee under oath during his testimony before it.

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