The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken action against Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra, registering a money laundering case against her as part of a cash-for-query investigation. This move follows an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the expelled TMC lawmaker. Moitra, 49, had recently skipped summons from the ED to appear for questioning in its Delhi office.
Moitra, along with businessman Darshan Hiranandani, was summoned by the ED in connection with a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) contravention case. The CBI had previously raided her premises concerning the cash-for-query case, prompted by allegations from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and a directive from the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal.
The allegations against Moitra stem from accusations of receiving cash and gifts from Hiranandani in exchange for her Parliament login credentials. Hiranandani purportedly posted questions on her behalf targeting the Adani Group. These allegations were initially raised by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai and later forwarded to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
Subsequently, Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha last year after an investigation by the ethics committee. Moitra has consistently denied any wrongdoing, attributing the allegations to being targeted for raising questions about deals involving the Adani Group.
Moitra, who has been renominated by the TMC from Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency, remains confident in her political prospects despite the ongoing investigations. She views her potential victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as a response to what she perceives as attempts to expel and harass her through ED and CBI actions. Krishnanagar constituency is scheduled to go to polls on May 13, with vote counting set for June 4.
As the investigations continue, Mahua Moitra’s political future and the outcome of the probes against her remain subjects of interest and scrutiny.
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