cash-for-queries-case-lokpal-orders-cbi-probe-against-tmc-leader-mahua-moitra

Lokpal — the anti-corruption body of ombudsman — has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe against Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra in the cash-for-queries case. It has asked the central agency to probe the claims under Section 20(3)(a) and submit a report within six months. As per sources, Lokpal noted that the allegations brought against Moitra were ‘extremely serious’ which require a deeper probe.

“We want the CBI, under Section 20(3)(a) to investigate all parameters 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 has also been asked to file periodical reports regarding the status of the investigation, every month,” the organisation said. 

This is not the first time that the CBI is conducting a probe into the incident. It had earlier, on the advice of the Lokpal, had carried out a preliminary inquiry into the allegations against the former Lok Sabha MP. Moitra was expelled in December 2023 after being held guilty of accepting ‘bribes’ in order to pose questions to the Parliament.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had made a complaint against her to Lok Sabha Speaker alleging that she accepted “cash and gifts” from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to “ask questions in Parliament”. It was alleged that Moitra received “Rs 2 crore from Darshan Hiranandani, in Indian and foreign currency, for asking questions in Parliament”.

Moitra had denied any wrongdoing and claimed she was being targeted as she raised questions about the deals of the Adani Group.

Dubey took to platform X after Lokpal ordered a probe into the case by the CBI. His tweet reads: “Satyamev Jayate. … considering my complaint as true, the Lokpal ordered the CBI to investigate Mahua Moitra. That is, for a few rupees, the former Trinamool Congress MP indulged in corruption and mortgaged the country’s security with Hiranandani,”