The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has included businessman Darshan Hiranandani as an “accused” in their First Information Report (FIR) related to the alleged cash-for-query case involving former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra. This development follows searches conducted at Ms. Moitra’s residence in Kolkata in connection with the case on Saturday.
The decision to name Darshan Hiranandani as an accused came after the Lokpal directed the CBI to investigate all aspects of the allegations against Mahua Moitra. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court dismissed a defamation petition filed by Ms. Moitra against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, who accused her of accepting favors and expensive gifts from Mr. Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions in parliament and sharing her parliament account login credentials.
The Lokpal, on March 15, instructed the CBI to probe the allegations under Section 20(3)(a) and submit a report within six months. The CBI has been directed to provide periodical reports on the status of the investigation every month.
In its order, the Lokpal stated, “After careful evaluation and consideration of the entire material on record, there remains no doubt regarding the fact that the allegations leveled against the Respondent Public Servant (RPS), 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.”
Earlier, the CBI had conducted a preliminary inquiry into the allegations against Mahua Moitra based on a reference from the Lokpal. Ms. Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December last year after the House adopted the report of its ethics committee, which found her guilty in the cash-for-query case.
The case stems from a complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey to the Lok Sabha Speaker, alleging that Mahua Moitra accepted “cash and gifts” from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani to “ask questions in Parliament.”
Sources By Agencies
