New Delhi:
In a clear escalation of the Mohua Moitra ‘cash-for-query’ controversy, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has written to the Lokpal seeking an inquiry into the actions of the Trinamool Congress MP.
In his complaint to the anti-corruption authority, Mr Dubey has said he is in possession of a letter from Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai setting out “disturbing facts with detailed evidence” against Ms Moitra.
“In the letter, Mr. Dehadrai details how, when and where Ms. Moitra received bribes from businessman Sh. Darshan Hiraanandani. The letter clearly mentions how Ms. Mahua Moitra received Rs 2 crore in cash from Darshan Hiranandani both in Indian currency and foreign currency for raising questions in Parliament,” the complaint said.
“It also mentions that Sh. Darshan Hiranandani had direct access to the Lok Sabha credentials of Mrs. Mahua Moitra and that the same credentials were used by Sh. Darshan Hiranandani were used while Ms. Mahua Moitra was traveling abroad,” it added.
Mr Dubey said Mr Dehadrai’s letter details how the TMC MP, by asking “questions in Parliament instead of cash” has furthered Mr Hiranandani’s personal agenda of profit and business rivalry, including questions regarding a specific legal matter involving $60 million. an undisclosed offshore asset trust and other transactions.
The complaint alleged that in an Oct. 20 affidavit, Mr. Hiranandani “unequivocally and in absolute terms admitted to fulfilling several illegal demands” of Ms. Moitra, including donating several expensive items.
“In light of the foregoing, it is established that Ms. Mahua Moitra has indulged in corrupt practices including, but not limited to, taking bribes from the above-mentioned businessman for endangering her parliamentary privileges and causing threats to national security by sharing her Lok Sabha credentials,” Mr. Dubey said.
‘Wealth acquired through corrupt means’
Mr Dubey claimed that Mr Dehadrai’s letter and Mr Hiranandani’s affidavit did not leave “an iota of doubt that Ms Moitra is engaged in rampant corruption and has acquired wealth through corrupt means and practices”.
“She accepted large sums of money as illegal gratification and it is therefore a clear case of abuse of public office and criminal misconduct. By misusing her office and position as a Member of Parliament, Ms. Mahua Moitra has acquired valuable properties and thus falls fully under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act,” the complaint said.
Mr. Dubey alleged that the Trinamool MP had committed offenses not only under the Prevention of Corruption Act but also under the Indian Penal Code and requested the Lokpal to conduct an inquiry.
‘Security of Mortgaged Land’
Earlier in the day, Mr Dubey had alleged that the TMC MP had mortgaged the country’s security for money and alleged that her parliamentary ID was used in Dubai when she was in India.
Mr Dubey, who had filed the complaint against Ms Moitra with the Lok Sabha Speaker accusing her of taking bribes for asking questions in Parliament, alleged that the National Informatics Center (NIC) had informed an investigative agency that her ID in Dubai was used when she was in India.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, in Hindi, Mr Dubey wrote in Hindi: “An MP has mortgaged the country’s security for some money. The Parliament ID card was opened in Dubai when the so-called MP was in India. The entire government of India, the Prime Minister of the country, the finance department and the central agencies are on this NIC.”
Ms Moitra has denied the allegations and said she is ready to answer questions from the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee.
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