Jaipur, Dec 19 (NationPress) Three legislators involved in a sting operation for allegedly soliciting commissions in return for endorsing projects from their MLA funds have been called for interrogation by the Ethics Committee of the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday. The individuals summoned comprise BJP MLA Rewantram Danga from Khinvsar, Congress MLA Anita Jatav from Hindaun, and Independent MLA Ritu Banawat from Bayana.

The committee will conduct individual questioning of all three MLAs within the Assembly premises.

The resolution to summon the legislators was reached during an Ethics Committee meeting two days prior, chaired by Kailash Verma. Following this, notices were dispatched to the three lawmakers.

The matter was referred to the Ethics Committee by Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani on Sunday.

The sting operation reportedly captured the three MLAs negotiating terms to endorse development projects using their MLA funds in exchange for monetary compensation. A journalist, masquerading as the owner of a fictitious firm, approached the MLAs to unveil the alleged corruption.

BJP MLA Rewantram Danga is accused of seeking a 40 percent commission to facilitate a ₹50 lakh contract. The spouse of Independent MLA Ritu Banawat was reportedly involved in the discussions, while Congress MLA Anita Jatav allegedly accepted ₹50,000 as a token during the interaction.

The Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Kailash Verma, emphasized that the committee vigilantly oversees the behavior of MLAs and will not tolerate any misconduct. He further mentioned that the committee would hold continuous meetings until December 24, after which a conclusive decision will be made.

The Ethics Committee consists of 12 MLAs, including the chairman. The panel features seven BJP MLAs (including the chairman) and five Congress MLAs. Congress members encompass Abhimanyu Poonia, Ganesh Ghogra, Bhagwanaram Saini, Moti Ram, and Virendra Singh, while BJP members include Jaideep Bihani, Sukhwant Singh, Jethanand Vyas, Balmukund Acharya, Hansraj Patel, Rajendra Gurjar, and Chairman Kailash Verma (BJP).

After the hearings, the Ethics Committee will compile its findings and present them to the Speaker.

This report will subsequently be introduced in the Assembly, where the House will deliberate on the committee's suggestions. The committee may propose suspension or even revocation of membership, but the final action will necessitate a vote in the Assembly.

Additionally, the bribery case involving BAP MLA Jaykrishna Patel is still pending before the Ethics Committee.

Patel was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on May 4 while allegedly accepting a bribe. The ACB has indicated that Patel had raised queries concerning a mining matter in another district and allegedly demanded ₹10 crore to retract them.

The transaction was later negotiated down to ₹2.50 crore. He was caught in the act, and investigations are ongoing. The committee's report on this case, initially expected in September, has since been extended.