Cash For Query Row: CBI Initiates Preliminary Enquiry Against TMC MP Mahua Moitra After Lokpal Directive

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday initiated a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Mahua Moitra, a Member of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress, in relation to the cash-for-query allegations.

The initiation of the preliminary enquiry by the central investigative agency comes on the instructions of the Lokpal.

Reacting to the development, Moitra called the CBI probe a "witchhunt".

"Neither has Lok Pal uploaded any referral order on website as per Lokpal Act & nor has CBI put out anything official. “Sources” telling journos as per usual media circus. Hope ₹13,000 crore Adani coal scam merits CBI PE before my witchhunt," she wrote on social media site X.

BJP MP's allegations against Moitra

The CBI enquiry against Moitra stems from a complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who has accused the TMC leader of accepting a bribe from a businessman in exchange for "asking questions in Parliament."

Dubey previously stated that on November 8, the Lokpal directed a CBI investigation against Mahua Moitra for engaging in corrupt practices that compromise national security.

In his formal complaint, Dubey alleged that Mahua Moitra posed questions in the Lok Sabha with the intention of targeting the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the request of businessman Darshan Hiranandani, in return for receiving gifts.