'Cash-for-query' row: Mahua Moitra sends legal notice to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey

A day after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accusing TMC MP Mahua Moitra of taking “bribes” from a businessman to ask questions in Parliament, the Adani Group on Monday (October 16) issued a statement, saying “some groups and individuals have been working overtime to harm our name, goodwill and market standing”.

The Adani Group's statement comes after Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai filed a complaint with the CBI, in the form of an affidavit, bringing on record allegations that Moitra received bribes and undue favours from Hiranandani Group CEO Darshan Hiranandani to ask questions from the businessman in Parliament, specifically targeting Adani and his group of companies.

The Adani Group statement suggested that the lawyer’s affidavit as part of this alleged quid pro quo arrangement, Moitra received bribes and a host of undue favors from Hiranandani. The Adani Group went on to say that another MP had forwarded the complaint in connection with the matter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, demanding an investigation against Moitra and her suspension from the House.

Now, Moitra has sent legal notices to Dubey, Dehadrai, and several media houses for allegedly defaming her.

‘Shocking, shameful’

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar also expressed his views on the alleged “cash-for-query” row involving Moitra, citing a question she asked about reports of a government ban on 54 apps.

“I hv learnt from news reports that this Parliamentary Question was likely asked by a MP at the behest of a Data center company. If true this is indeed shocking and shameful,” the minister posted on Twitter, pointing at questions to him from Hiranandani Group, on whose behalf Moitra has been accused of asking parliamentary questions (PQs).

“It is true that this company was actively and aggressively lobbying for Data Localization. Language used in PQ is very similar (linking need for data localization to data breaches) to that used whn the head of this company met me. I am not aware or privy to the full facts or background on this - but if it is true then it’s a terrible travesty and misuse of PQs,” Chandrasekhar's post read.

Earlier, BJP MP Dubey had also written to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging him to investigate the IP addresses of Moitra’s log-in credentials for the House.

In his letter to Birla on Sunday, Dubey cited a letter he received from advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai and said the lawyer has shared “irrefutable” evidence that the TMC MP has taken bribes in the form of “cash” and “gifts” from business tycoon Darshan Hiranandani to ask questions in Parliament.

Moitra denies charges

In a Twitter post, Moitra declared that it was a valid question since she is a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on data protection.

Responding to Dubey’s letter, Moitra said, “All parliamentary work of MPs is done by PAs, assistants, interns and large teams”, and requested Vaishnaw to release the details of the locations and log-in credentials of all the MPs with Call Data Records (CDRs). She also asked the information technology minister to release information on the training given to the staff to log in.

The Hiranandani Group has also said that there is “no merit” in the allegations. “We have always been in the business of business and not in the business of politics. Our group has always worked with the government in the interest of the nation and will continue doing so,” said a group spokesperson.

Sources in the TMC said the lawyer who filed the complaint is Moitra’s former partner and claimed that it was personal vendetta for political revenge. They said there was also an ongoing tussle between the two over their pet dog and Moitra has filed multiple police complaints against him in the last six months for alleged criminal trespass, theft, vulgar messages and abuse.

(With agency inputs)