The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a preliminary enquiry against Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra. The action was initiated based on the reference from Lokpal, officials said Saturday.
Earlier, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had approached the Lokpal with a complaint against Moitra over allegations of taking bribes to raise questions in Parliament.
Dubey had also accused Moitra of compromising national security for monetary gains.
CBI’s enquiry comes at a time when the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha is also looking into the allegations against her.
The CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry which is the first step towards ascertaining if the allegations merit a full-fledged investigation. If enough prima facie material is found during the enquiry, the CBI can convert it into an FIR.
Dubey had accused Moitra of asking questions in Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts.
Moitra has denied all allegations against her and claimed that she was being targeted as she had raised questions on the deals of the Adani group.
The CBI complaint in the case had been filed by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, who had alleged that Moitra had taken bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani.
Dehadrai has also written to BJP's Dubey and it was based on his complaint that Lok Sabha Speaker had referred the matter to the Ethics Committee.
Hiranandani had alleged that Moitra shared her email ID as a Member of Parliament. He claimed she later gave him her Parliament login and password.
"Mahua Moitra wanted to quickly make a name for herself at the national level...Ms Moitra thought that the only way to attack PM Modi is by attacking Gautam Adani," Hiranandani had alleged in the affidavit.
The Ethics Committee findings, however, recommended Moitra's explusion from the House following the "illegal gratifications" from businessman Hiranandani.
The report recommended her explusion for "unethical conduct" and "contempt of the House".
