New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has begun a preliminary investigation against Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP, into the allegations of the cash-for-query controversy, NDTV reported citing sources.
The probe comes along weeks after Moitra appeared before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee probing the allegations against her.
The agency will decide whether to file a criminal case against the MP based on the outcome of this enquiry, according to the report.
Aside from seeking information, examining documents and questioning the MP, the CBI cannot reportedly arrest an accused or conduct searches.
Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai alleged in a complaint to CBI that Moitra had taken bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to ask questions in Parliament, triggering the controversy.
Subsequently, Speaker Om Birla referred the matter to the Ethics Committee following the complaint by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey who alongside lodged a complaint with the Lokpal.
Moitra, reacting to the CBI probe, said she was ‘amused to see’ Lokpal without having a chariman referring her case to the investigation agency.
Moitra reportedly claimed that a Right to Information query as having revealed that since Lokpal May 2002 has no chairman alongside eight member posts remaining vacant.
Moitra wrote on social media platform X: ‘Amused to see how headless LokPal with no full time Chairman "referred" my case to CBI. RTI of 3/11/23 says LokPal has no Chairman since May 2022 & 3 of 8 member posts also vacant! Maybe Jharkhand Branch of Pitbull Association also moonlighting as Lokpal Committee under BJP.’
Meanwhile, Hiranandani in an affidavit to the Ethics Committee reportedly alleged that Moitra shared with him her email ID as Member of Parliament so that he could send her details for her to ask questions in the Parliament.
‘Mahua Moitra wanted to quickly make a name for herself at the national level. She was advised by her friends and advisors that the shortest possible route to fame is by personally attacking PM Narendra Modi,’ Hiranandani reportedly alleged in the affidavit.
Hiranandani further claimed that Moitra handed him her Parliament login and password for him to post questions directly.