A dozen people, including key witness and businessman Darshan Hiranandani, have been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the ‘cash-for-query’ controversy that led to the expulsion of TMC leader Mahua Moitra’s suspension from the Lok Sabha last year.
Moitra was accused of asking questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an affidavit to the Committee on Ethics of the House on October 19, 2023, Hiranandani claimed that Moitra had shared with him her log-in ID and password for the Lok Sabha members’ website.
Moitra was accused of asking questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an affidavit to the Committee on Ethics of the House on October 19, 2023, Hiranandani claimed that Moitra had shared with him her log-in ID and password for the Lok Sabha members’ website. Moitra had approached the Supreme Court against her expulsion in December. The top court on January 3 sought a reply from the Lok Sabha secretary general on her plea but refused to grant interim relief.
Sources told News18 that Hiranandani appeared before the CBI on two occasions recently to depose on the allegations against Moitra. “He clarified some issues, but on some aspects, you can say he was non-cooperative,” an official privy to the developments said.
The CBI has also questioned CPWD employees and architects who designed the official bungalow of Mahua Moitra. Sources said the CPWD was asked if payment for the renovation of the bungalow was made by Hiranandani.
Sources said the CBI has also received a written response from Moitra on the allegations against her. “We may want to question her in person at a later stage, but for now we have her written response,” another officer said.
News18 has learnt that Moitra has rebutted the charges against her and denied that the questions asked by her in the Lok Sabha benefited Hiranandani in any way. Moitra, in her response to the Ethics Committee, had accepted that she was close to Hiranandani and that she did accept gifts like bags and scarves from him.
The CBI, as part of its enquiry, is looking into possible evidence of a quid pro quo between Hiranandani and Moitra. It is also looking for evidence of the alleged money trail. The investigating agency is expected to submit its report to the Lokpal this month, after which a call will be taken on filing an FIR against Moitra under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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