The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated searches at the properties of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra, including her residence in West Bengal, as part of an ongoing probe into the alleged cash-for-query case, according to officials.
Teams from the central probe agency descended upon Moitra’s residence in Kolkata and other locations on Saturday morning to conduct a search operation, as reported by PTI, quoting officials familiar with the matter.
The CBI registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the former TMC Member of Parliament (MP) on Thursday, following directives from the Lokpal, which has instructed the agency to submit a report within six months. Additionally, the CBI has been mandated to provide monthly updates on the progress of the investigation.
Quoting ANI, the Lokpal emphasized the seriousness of the allegations against Moitra, stating that the evidence supporting these claims is substantial. Given Moitra’s position, the Lokpal concluded that a thorough investigation is warranted to establish the truth.
In December, Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha for “unethical conduct.” She has contested her expulsion in the Supreme Court and is set to contest in the upcoming general elections as a TMC candidate from the Krishnanagar seat in West Bengal.
The anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal received the findings of its preliminary investigation into the accusations levelled against Moitra by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Subsequently, the Lokpal directed the CBI to take necessary action.
According to Dubey, Moitra allegedly solicited payments and gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani, based in Dubai, in exchange for questioning lawmakers in the House to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani, among others.
