The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted its report to the Lokpal against Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra and industrialist Darshan Hiranandani in the alleged “cash for query” case, officials said on Monday. The case is based on an FIR registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which was registered by the CBI on March 21, 2024 on the recommendation of the Lokpal.
Mahua Moitra is accused of not only abusing her parliamentary privileges by receiving bribes and other undue benefits from Darshan Hiranandani, but also endangering national security by sharing login information of her Lok Sabha account. The agency has completed its investigation in the case and submitted the report to the Lokpal, which will now decide on further action.
Mahua Moitra, who was an MP from Krishnanagar in the previous Lok Sabha, was expelled from the House in December 2023 for “immoral conduct”. She has challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. Despite this, in the 2024 general election, she again won by defeating BJP candidate Amrita Roy and retained her seat in the 18th Lok Sabha.
The Lokpal, which monitors corruption cases, had initiated this investigation based on the allegations of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Dubey had alleged that Mahua Moitra had taken cash and gifts from Dubai-based industrialist Darshan Hiranandani and asked certain questions in the Lok Sabha to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others, including industrialist Gautam Adani.
