Indian MPs caught on camera

The sting operation, conducted by a website Cobrapost, in collaboration with the popular Hindi television news channel Aaj Tak, also showed one member each from ruling Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and two from Bahujan Samaj Party accepting 'bribe' for raising questions in Parliament.

The television news channel showed video clips on the 11 members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha accepting money from those who conducted the sting operation to raise questions in both Houses of Parliament.

The BJP suspended its six members from its parliamentary party while Congress also suspended the party's MP from Gwalior, Ramsewak Singh, after he too was caught on camera.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said the incident has undermined the dignity of the House and he has referred the matter to the Ethics Committee. "I have decided to sent it to the Ethics Committee for necessary action and give its recommendations for due consideration of the House," Shekhawat said.

After a meeting with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other party leaders, BJP president LK Advani announced the formation of an internal inquiry into the television expose.

"Strict action would be taken against all those MPs of our party who have been named," he told reporters here adding the party would first carry out an internal probe, and then, if needed, would hand over the matter to the parliament privilege committee," he added.