New Delhi, December 13
The Rajya Sabha today suspended its BJP member, Dr Chhattrapal Singh Lodha, after the House Ethics Committee observed that the sting operation showing him accepting money on camera for asking questions, had damaged the image of Parliament.

The Ethics Committee, in its report to the House, recommended that Dr Lodha should be suspended from the House, pending the presentation of the final report. Presenting the report, which was unanimously adopted, the committee chairman, Dr Karan Singh, said a serious note was taken of the situation arising out of the telecast of the programme which had damaged the image of Parliament and brought the august institution into disrepute.

He said the Rajya Sabha Chairman had yesterday referred to the Ethics Committee the episode relating to telecast of programme ‘Operation Duryodhan’ by a private channel which illustrated actions tantamount to a serious violation of the Code of Conduct by some MPs.

Dr Karan Singh said the committee, in its sitting held on December 12, held preliminary discussions. “It appreciated the sense of deep concern expressed by the Chairman and resolved to act with urgency in the matter,” he said.

“The committee noted that one of the members shown in the programme is Dr Chhattrapal Singh Lodha.

Since the member has been caught on tape accepting money for asking questions, the Committee unanimously recommends that Dr Lodha should be suspended from the House, pending the presentation of the final report of the committee,” Dr Singh said.

He said the committee also decided that an opportunity be given to Dr Lodha to explain his position within forty-eight hours.