In further trouble to TMC leader and former Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra, the Lokpal on Tuesday ordered a formal investigation by the CBI into the bribe-for-questions case against her. “We direct the CBI, under Section 20(3)(a) to investigate all aspects of the allegations made in the complaint, and submit a copy of the investigation report within a period of six months from the date of receipt of this order. The CBI shall also file periodical reports regarding the status of the investigation, every month,” the Lokpal order has said. Moitra stands accused of sharing her Parliament login credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani who allegedly posted questions on affairs related to industrialist Gautam Adani. It is alleged that Moitra did this for bribes, both in terms of cash and expensive gifts, received from Hirananadani. Moitra had denied the allegations. The CBI has already conducted a preliminary enquiry (precursor to an FIR) in the matter which came about on the direction of Lokpal on November 8, 2023. The CBI has already submitted its inquiry report with the anti-corruption watchdog. The Lokpal also gave Moitra an opportunity to defend herself where she made submissions through her lawyers and denied allegations of wrongdoing. The Lokpal took up the matter on a complaint from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey who also initiated the complaint against Moitra in Parliament, leading to her expulsion. “After careful evaluation and consideration of the entire material on record, there remains no doubt regarding the fact that the allegations levelled against the RPS (respondent public servant), most of which are supported by cogent evidence, are extremely serious in nature, especially in view of the position held by her. Therefore, in our considered opinion, a deeper probe is required to establish the truth. This is vital in view of the position and status held by the RPS at the relevant point of time,” the Lokpal order has said. “It is a duty cast upon us and, indeed, the mandate of the Act, that all attempts be made to root out corruption and corrupt practices that bring under their fold aspects such as undue advantage, illegal gain or benefit and quid pro quo in the discharge of public duties,” it has added. The order, however, has stated that in the preliminary Enquiry report of the CBI, the agency has not been able to substantiate through evidence that an amount of Rs 2 crore was paid by Hiranandani to Moitra for asking questions in Parliament. But it has held that the evidence has not been found because of the limited scope of investigations in a PE and thus further investigation is required. The Lokpal order has said that allegations that Moitra demanded and received travel expenses and gifts in India and abroad from Hiranandani and the latter renovated her bungalow are substantiated.
