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Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting searches at multiple locations in Kolkata in the cash-for-query case linked to former Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. The move comes days after the Lokpal had directed the agency to carry out further investigation and submit a report on its findings within six months.
Earlier, the central agency registered an FIR against Mahua Moitra. On the directions of the Lokpal, the FIR was registered after receiving a report of the CBI’s preliminary inquiry into allegations against Moitra by BJP Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey.
The Lokpal order said,“…in our considered opinion, a deeper probe is required to establish the truth…accordingly, we direct the CBI…to investigate all aspects of the allegations made in the complaint, and submit a copy of the Investigation Report within a period of six months from the date of receipt of this order. The CBI shall file periodical reports regarding the status of the investigation every month.”
Lok Sabha had expelled Moitra in December last year for “unethical conduct”. During the general elections as the TMC’s candidate from the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, The former MP has challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court and will again be on the hustings.
Dubey has alleged that Moitra asked questions in Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court dismissed Mahua Moitra’s petition seeking to prevent Nishikant Dubey and Jai Dehadrai from making allegations in the cash-for-query case.
The BJP MP further alleged that Moitra received Rs 2 crore in cash from Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions in Parliament. In his complaint, Dubey also alleged that Moitra asked around 50 questions in Parliament that were related to the business interests of Hiranandani and his company.
Moitra allegedly took Rs 75 lakh from the businessman ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Moitra has called Jay Anant Dehradya her “cheated ex(boyfriend)”. The two are also involved in an ongoing tussle over the custody of their pet Rottweiler Henry.
