In a major development in the cash-for-query controversy involving Mahua Moitra.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has begun a preliminary probe against the Trinamool Congress MP on the directions of the Lokpal, sources. A preliminary enquiry has been initiated and the agency will decide whether or not to file a criminal case against the MP based on the outcome of this enquiry.
Under a preliminary enquiry, the CBI cannot arrest an accused or conduct searches, but it can seek information and also question the Trinamool MP.
The CBI complaint in the case had been filed by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehardrai who had alleged that Ms Moitra had taken bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to ask questions in Parliament.
Mr Dehadrai had also written to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and, based on Mr Dubey’s complaint, speaker Om Birla had referred the matter to the Ethics Committee. Mr Dubey had also filed a complaint with the Lokpal.
In an affidavit sent to the panel, Mr Hiranandani had alleged that the Trinamool MP had shared her email ID as a Member of Parliament so that he could send her information and she could raise the questions in the Parliament. He claimed she later gave him her Parliament login and password so that he could post the questions directly.
“Mahua Moitra wanted to quickly make a name for herself at the national level. She was advised by her friends and advisors that the shortest possible route to fame is by personally attacking PM Narendra Modi,” Mr Hiranandani had alleged in the affidavit, adding, “Ms Moitra thought that the only way to attack PM Modi is by attacking Gautam Adani as both were contemporaries and belong to the same state of Gujarat.”
The CBI move comes two days after West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee broke her silence on the controversy and said that Ms Moitra’s chances would be boosted if she was expelled from the Lok Sabha based on the report by the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha.
Ms Banerjee had said, “They have planned to chase out Mahua. She will become popular for three months. What she said inside… she will say outside. She will hold press conferences every day. What does she lose?”