New Delhi: In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched raids on the premises of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former Lok Sabha MP, Mahua Moitra, early this morning. These actions come in the wake of a recently registered case concerning alleged cash-for-query activities. The raids were not confined to just New Delhi but extended to various locations linked to Moitra, including Kolkata. Additionally, the CBI team also reached the residence of Mahua’s father, Dipendralal Moitra, situated in the Alipur area of Kolkata.
Sources within the CBI revealed that the agency initiated searches at multiple sites associated with former TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday, including locations in Kolkata, in connection with the cash-for-query case. Teams from the Central Investigation Agency carried out the searches, commencing early in the morning, and meticulously informed Moitra and concerned parties about the proceedings before conducting the operation.
The investigation into Mahua Moitra’s activities was set in motion following instructions from the Lokpal. Notably, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Moitra on Thursday, as per the directives of the Lokpal. The Lokpal mandated the CBI to submit its report within six months.
These directives from the Lokpal stemmed from the preliminary investigation findings regarding allegations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Moitra. Dubey, a Member of Parliament from the Lok Sabha, accused Moitra of accepting cash and gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani. Allegedly, these transactions were aimed at tarnishing the reputation of industrialist Gautam Adani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and others, with Moitra purportedly posing questions in the House in exchange for these favors.
Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha in December, citing ‘unethical conduct,’ added fuel to the controversy. However, undeterred, the former MP has challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court and is set to contest once again as the TMC candidate from the Krishnanagar seat in West Bengal during the upcoming general elections.
