News Brief
Cash-For-Query Controversy: Enforcement Directorate Initiates Money Laundering Probe Against Ex-TMC MP Mahua Moitra
Trinamool Congress Leader Mahua Moitra (Facebook).
In a recent development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation against former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Mahua Moitra, alongside businessman Darshan Hiranandani, in connection with an alleged cash-for-query case.
The move comes after the ED issued three summonses to Moitra regarding a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation case.
The decision to file the case stems from the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) FIR, which had accused Moitra of accepting cash to raise questions on behalf of Hiranandani.
Although Moitra had admitted to providing her Parliament login credentials to Hiranandani, she vehemently denied receiving any cash from him, refuting claims made by Supreme Court advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai in his complaint to the CBI.
Last month, the CBI registered an FIR against Moitra and Hiranandani following the Lokpal's directive to initiate a formal inquiry into the matter.
The FIR cites Moitra's alleged engagement in corrupt practices, including accepting bribes and compromising her parliamentary privileges by sharing her Lok Sabha login details with Hiranandani, thus posing national security threats.
Despite being called for questioning in the case, Moitra and Hiranandani have yet to appear before the agencies.
The controversy had first surfaced in October 2023 when Hiranandani claimed in an affidavit to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee that Moitra had provided him with her Parliament login credentials.
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