25-11-2023 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a preliminary enquiry against Mahua Moitra, a Lok Sabha MP from the Trinamool Congress, following a complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey with the Lokpal. The allegations revolve around accusations of Moitra accepting bribes in exchange for raising questions in Parliament, with Dubey also asserting that these actions compromised national security for personal financial gains.
This development comes in the midst of an ongoing examination by the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha into the allegations against Moitra. The CBI’s preliminary enquiry represents the initial step in determining whether the accusations warrant a comprehensive investigation. Should sufficient prima facie evidence emerge during this process, the CBI reserves the option to escalate the enquiry into a formal FIR (First Information Report).
Nishikant Dubey contends that Moitra utilized her parliamentary platform to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of businessman Darshan Hiranandani, purportedly in exchange for gifts. Moitra vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that she is being targeted due to her scrutiny of the Adani group’s dealings.
The CBI’s involvement follows a complaint filed by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, who accused Moitra of accepting bribes from Darshan Hiranandani. Hiranandani, in turn, alleges that Moitra shared her parliamentary email ID and subsequently provided him with her login credentials. He contends that Moitra sought to gain national prominence by attacking PM Modi through targeting Gautam Adani.
The Ethics Committee’s preliminary findings recommend Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha, citing “illegal gratifications” from businessman Hiranandani. The report characterizes Moitra’s conduct as “unethical” and as displaying “contempt of the House.” The unfolding investigation and committee deliberations cast a shadow over Moitra’s parliamentary standing, prompting a broader discourse on ethical conduct and accountability within the political sphere.