Following Lokpal’s formal investigative directive in the bribery-for-questions case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at numerous places related to Mahua Moitra, a senior politician of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including sites in Kolkata.
These steps come as the opposition accuses the BJP administration of using federal agencies to target political leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha election. These claims also came following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a liquor policy case.
Past Incidents
Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December last year. After a month of expelling from the Lok Sabha, the TMC leader was asked to vacate the house earlier on January 7. On January 8, a notice was issued by the DoE seeking her reply within three days, mentioning the reason for not vacating the accommodation.
While dealing with Moitra’s challenge to an official intimation, Justice Subramoniun Prasad asked her to vacate the government bungalow by January 7. She noted that the rules permitted the authorities to allow a resident to overstay for up to six months on payment of certain charges in exceptional circumstances. Another notice was also issued to her on January 12.
On January 19, Trinamool Congress MP voluntarily vacated her bungalow in the national capital after Delhi High Court rejected her interim plea seeking a stay on eviction from her government accommodation.
What is Mahua Moitra accused of?
Moitra is accused of exchanging her credentials with Darshan Hiranandani, a businessman who reportedly used them to ask inquiries about entrepreneur Gautam Adani. Moitra is accused of engaging in this conduct in exchange for monetary payments and gifts; however, she has strongly denied these allegations.
The CBI’s inquiry, which began following Lokpal’s mandate on November 8, 2023, has resulted in the submission of its findings to the anti-corruption office. Moitra has been given the option to offer her defence throughout this process, which she has done with the help of legal counsel, strongly refuting all allegations.
The Lokpal order stated, “After careful evaluation and consideration of the entire material on record, there remains no doubt regarding the fact that the allegations levelled against the RPS (respondent public servant), most of which are supported by cogent evidence, are extremely serious in nature, especially in view of the position held by her.”
“Therefore, in our considered opinion, a deeper probe is required to establish the truth. This is vital in view of the position and status held by the RPS at the relevant point in time.”
