Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday carried out raids on properties linked to Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra, which include her houses in Kolkata and various other locations, in connection with the cash -for -query scandal.
According to reports, teams of the central probe agency reached Moitra’s residence in Kolkata and other cities early this morning and started the operation.
On March 15, the Lokpal asked the CBI to investigate the accusations and submit a report within six months. Additionally, it mandated the agency to submit monthly updates on the progress of the investigation. “After careful evaluation and consideration of the entire material on record, there remains no doubt regarding the fact that the allegations levelled 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,” Lokpal said in its order.
Following directions from the Lokpal, the central agency on Thursday, filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Mahua Moitra regarding the scandal.
The 49-year-old politician is accused of accepting bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani for asking questions in Parliament. Moitra is also accused of sharing her parliamentary login-credentials with the businessman, due to which she was expelled from the Lok Sabha on grounds of “unethical conduct”.
Moitra has denied accepting bribes and claimed that she had shared the credentials to have the businessman’s staff type out her parliamentary queries on the official portal. She has also challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court.
She will be contesting for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Krishnanagar seat from where she was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019.
