CBI Came, Searched... Still We Are Searching For BJP Candidates Against Us: Mahua Moitra, Saayoni Ghosh Dig At BJP
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made stops today at several locations in West Bengal on Saturday and conducted searches at multiple premises linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra, including her residences in Kolkata and other locations. This action comes in connection with the infamous alleged cash-for-query scandal, which led to Moitra losing her Lok Sabha membership last year.
The premier investigation agency initiated the probe after an FIR was lodged against Mahua Moitra by the Lokpal, following directions to investigate the allegations within a stipulated timeframe of six months. The Lokpal emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and the necessity for a thorough investigation, citing substantial evidence.
The centre has recently appointed former Supreme Court judge AM Khanwilkar as the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal, nearly two years after the post fell vacant after Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose completed his term on May 27, 2022.
Reacting to the raids, Mahua Moitra, who is contesting as the TMC’s Krishnanagar candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, took to social media to express her sentiments, and also to take digs at the ruling BJP.
In a post, she quipped, “The CBI came home and to my election offices today. Were very polite. Searched. Found nothing. Meanwhile Saayoni Ghosh and I still searching for BJP candidates against us.” Accompanying her post was an image featuring Moitra and Saayoni Ghosh, Trinamool”s candidate from Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency, humorously depicted as searching for BJP candidates through binoculars.
The CBI came home & to my election offices today. Were very polite. Searched. Found nothing. Meanwhile @sayani06 & I still searching for BJP candidates against us . pic.twitter.com/njt8VXWnuH
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) March 23, 2024
The controversy surrounding Ms Moitra escalated when Supreme Court advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai lodged a complaint with the CBI, alleging corruption and money laundering. The complaint accused Ms Moitra, an ardent critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP government in centre, of receiving funds and favours from Darshan Hiranandani, head of a rival conglomerate of the Adani Group, in exchange for asking parliamentary questions targeting Adani. Hiranandani later turned approver and claimed in an affidavit that Ms Moitra indeed received favours and allowed him access to her parliamentary account to post questions on her behalf.
Ms Moitra vehemently denied these allegations, welcoming any inquiry from both the CBI and the parliamentary ethics committee. However, she admitted to providing her parliamentary login credentials to Hiranandani for typing questions and acknowledged receiving personal gifts from him.
The parliamentary ethics panel subsequently recommended Moitra”s dismissal from the Lok Sabha, leading to her expulsion from the house on December 8, 2023, based on the committee”s report. Ms Moitra has since challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court.
