CBI Asks Mahua Moitra's "Jilted Ex" To Appear For Preliminary Enquiry Into Cash-For-Query Allegations Against TMC MP

As the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducts a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, it has asked the complainant Jai Anant Dehadrai to appear before it on 25 January.

Dehadrai is a Supreme Court lawyer who provided "irrefutable evidence" to CBI and alleged that Moitra received bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group. Moitra had earlier called Dehadrai "a jilted ex".

“Whereas it appears that you are acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the subject cites matter, which is being inquired into. In this regard, you are hereby requested to appear..." reads the CBI notice sent to Dehadrai and seen by Hindustan Times.

Earlier, the CBI had reached out to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, requesting the Ethics Committee's report that recommended the expulsion of Moitra from Parliament. After this report, the CBI would be able to file an FIR in the case.

The CBI's probe is based on a complaint forwarded by the Lokpal, relating to accusations against Moitra. CBI had registered a PE in the case in November 2023. The ethics committee had recommended a "time-bound" investigation into Moitra.

A PE is a formal inquiry into any matter to decide whether the agency wants to convert it into a regular case (by filing a First Information Report) based on the available evidence or close it.

As part of the PE, the CBI has powers to examine documents and summon a person for questioning, however, it cannot carry out searches or make arrests, as per the investigative agency's manual.