Mahua Moitra’s plea on cash-for-query allegations against her will be heard by the Delhi High Court on October 31. The case was postponed after her lawyer withdrew from the case today on the grounds of a ‘conflict of interest’.
The withdrawal came after the court was informed by lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai that Moitra’s lawyer Gopal Sankarnarayan had contacted him over phone on Thursday evening for withdrawing his CBI complaint against the Trinamool leader.
Ms Moitra has described Mr Dehadrai as a “dumped ex” who wants revenge on her. There is an ongoing battle between Mrs. Moitra and Mr. Dehadrai over their dog, Rottweiler Henry. In the past six months, Ms Moitra has filed multiple police complaints against Mr Dehadrai for alleged criminal trespass, theft, vulgar messages and abuse, PTI reported.
Mr Dehadrai had allegedly given evidence to BJP leader Nishikant Dubey from Ms Moitra in which he accepted cash to ask questions in Parliament.
The ‘conflict of interest’ was raised in court on Thursday by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai. Justice Sachin Datta said he was “shocked” and said that since Mr. Sankaranarayanan was trying to play the role of a mediator, is he still eligible to appear in the case?
“It is something you have to answer for yourself. It is your decision,” the judge said, prompting Sankaranarayanan to withdraw from the case.
Mr. Sankarnarayan withdrew from the case and said, “I contacted him (Jai Anant Dehadrai) yesterday, that is true. I asked him if there is a way to explore a settlement, that’s all the conversation was about. Jai said he would. Contact me but he didn’t. I am no longer concerned about this matter and have withdrawn from it.’
The court listed the matter for further hearing on October 31 when it reopens after the Dusshera break.
Ms Moitra, the Lok Sabha MP representing Krishnanagar in West Bengal, has sought a permanent injunction against Mr Dubey, Mr Dehadrai, social media platform facie false and malicious statements against her.
Industrialist Darshan Hiranandani has also backed the charge against the Trinamool MP, alleging that he bribed Mahua Moitra to raise questions in Parliament. In a three-page statement yesterday, the businessman claimed she saw the attack on the Adani Group as a way to become famous. He also alleged that Ms Moitra shared her Parliament credentials with him.
Ms Moitra, in a detailed and sharp rebuttal, criticized Mr Hiranandani’s affidavit, claiming that the Prime Minister’s Office had pressured him to sign the document and then released it to the media.
