Cash-for-query | CBI registers preliminary enquiry against Mahua; TMC MP reacts

TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday said neither has Lokpal uploaded any referral order on its website as per Lokpal Act nor has the CBI put out anything official, soon after officials said that the CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry against her.

“Hope Rs 13,000 crore Adani coal scam merits CBI PE before my witchhunt,” she further posted on social media platform X.

Officials said the CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry against the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP on a reference from anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal.

There was no formal statement from either the CBI or the Lokpal on the issue. The Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha which was also looking into the allegations against Moitra has submitted its report which will be tabled in Lok Sabha in the upcoming Winter Session.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had approached the Lokpal with a complaint against Moitra over allegations of taking bribes to raise questions in Parliament. Dubey had also accused Moitra of compromising national security for monetary gains.

The Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha is also looking into the allegations against her. The CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) which is the first step towards ascertaining if the allegations merit a full-fledged investigation. If enough prima facie material is found during the PE, the CBI can convert it into an FIR.

Dubey had accused Moitra of asking questions in Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts. Moitra has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that she was being targeted as she had raised questions on the deals of the Adani group.

The CBI's involvement in the case stemmed from a complaint filed by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai against Moitra. Dehadrai alleged that Moitra received bribes from Hiranandani in exchange for posing questions in Parliament.

Dehadrai also corresponded with BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, prompting Speaker Om Birla to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee. Dubey additionally lodged a complaint with the Lokpal.

In an affidavit to the panel, Hiranandani claimed that Moitra shared her official email ID for receiving information and subsequently provided her Parliament login and password to post questions directly. He alleged that Moitra aimed to gain national recognition by targeting PM Narendra Modi and intending to attack Gautam Adani.

The Ethics Committee, following hearings, recommended Moitra's expulsion from the House due to purportedly accepting unlawful favours to raise questions for Hiranandani. The report, endorsed by a 6:4 verdict, also accused Moitra of "unethical conduct" and "contempt of the House."

Moitra protested during the November 2 hearing, citing personal and derogatory queries and accused Ethics Committee chairman Vinod Sonkar of echoing questions from Dehadrai, referring to him as her "jilted ex."

The CBI's recent involvement follows West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's comments, suggesting that Moitra's stature might grow if she was expelled based on the Ethics Committee's report. Banerjee speculated that Moitra, if expelled, would become vocal outside Parliament, implying it could enhance her visibility for a limited period.

(With agency inputs)