Mahua Moitra cash for query case: CBI may call Darshan Hiranandani next week to record statement

After Supreme Court (SC) lawyer and complainant Jai Ananth Dehadrai, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to call businessman Darshan Hiranandani to record his statement in the cash for query case related to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra. Was expelled from Lok Sabha last month.

Dehadrai has been asked to appear before the CBI’s anti-corruption branch on Thursday afternoon, while Hiranandani is likely to be summoned next week.

Senior officials told CNN-News18 that both Dehradun and Hiranandani will be asked to prove their claims of corruption against Moitra. “CBI has been asked by the Lokpal to investigate the allegation of criminality. If any vendetta has occurred, it must be established. If money was exchanged, the testimony of the complainant and the key witness is important in this regard,” a senior official aware of the investigation told CNN-News18.

Officials said that if he is unable to testify in person, his statement can also be recorded through video-conferencing.

Moitra had admitted before the Parliamentary Ethics Committee that she had shared her MP login and password with Hiranandani, whom she referred to as a friend. Moitra also admitted that she received gifts from Hiranandani, but no cash was exchanged. Hiranandani also said in her testimony before the Ethics Committee that Moitra provided her with login credentials so that the businessman could “post questions directly on her behalf when necessary”.

Ethics Committee report given to CBI

CBI has received a copy of the Ethics Committee report against Moitra. The agency had sought a copy of the report from the Lok Sabha Secretariat after it was asked to investigate the criminal complaints against Moitra. Investigating officers said that the Ethics Committee report is being investigated.

Sources indicated that Moitra may be summoned by the CBI after recording the statements of Dehradun and Hiranandani. The Ethics Committee report, annexures and cited evidence could form the basis of CBI’s questions to Dehadrai, Hiranandani and Moitra.

Report likely next month

Government officials said the CBI is aiming to complete its investigation against Moitra by next month. “The report may be submitted to the Lokpal by mid-February,” a senior official said.

He said that since the reference has been received from the Lokpal, the CBI will submit its preliminary investigation report to the anti-corruption watchdog and the decision to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) will be left to the Lokpal.

If the Lokpal, after seeing the preliminary investigation report of the CBI, feels that a case is made out under the Prevention of Corruption Act, then an FIR can be registered. Officials said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also closely monitoring the CBI investigation. An official associated with the ED said, “If a case is made out under the Act, the ED can investigate allegations of money laundering.”