According to officials, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is presently in the process of scrutinizing the response provided by TMC leader and former Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra to a questionnaire pertaining to allegations of corruption raised during parliamentary sessions. Following this examination phase, the CBI intends to compile a comprehensive report, which will subsequently be forwarded to the anti-corruption watchdog, Lokpal, the very entity that initially referred this matter to the investigative agency.
It has been disclosed that the CBI's involvement was initiated by a referral from Lokpal, thereby marking the commencement of a preliminary inquiry into the accusations leveled against Moitra. Furthermore, it has come to light that the CBI has engaged in discussions with lawyer Jai Dehadrai and businessman Darshan Hiranandani as part of its fact-finding process.
Despite attempts by the Press Trust of India (PTI) to solicit responses from Moitra, there has been no discernible communication forthcoming from her end. Similarly, the CBI has opted to remain reticent regarding any developments related to this matter.
The allegations against Moitra, as posited by BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey, insinuate her involvement in targeting the Adani group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during parliamentary sessions, purportedly at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani, in exchange for material benefits. Moreover, Dubey has accused Moitra of jeopardizing national security interests for personal financial gains.
Moitra, on her part, has vehemently refuted these accusations, asserting that she is being unfairly targeted due to her scrutiny of the Adani group's business dealings. In a statement made on X in November, Moitra criticized the lack of transparency in the proceedings, highlighting the absence of any referral orders from Lokpal as mandated by the Lokpal Act, and the dearth of official statements from the CBI. She further expressed her hope that the alleged Adani coal scam, estimated at ₹13,000 crore, would prompt a thorough investigation by the CBI prior to any unfounded persecution against her.
