Mahua Moitra ‘cash-for-query’ probe: CBI sources say Hiranandani was uncooperative in some respects

More than a dozen people, including key witness and businessman Darshan Hiranandani and lawyer MP Pinaki Misra, have been charged in connection with the cash-for-exchange inquiry that led to the ouster of TMC leaders “Marwa Moitra was suspended from the Lok Sabha last year after being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the controversy.

Moitra was accused of asking questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Hiranandani to attack industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an affidavit submitted to the House Ethics Committee on October 19, 2023, Hira Nandani alleged that Moitra shared her login ID and password on the Lok Sabha members’ website with him.

Moitra was accused of asking questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Hiranandani to attack industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an affidavit submitted to the House Ethics Committee on October 19, 2023, Hira Nandani alleged that Moitra shared her login ID and password on the Lok Sabha members’ website with him. In December last year, Moitra approached the Supreme Court against her deportation. On January 3, the Supreme Court 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 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) twice recently to testify against the allegations against Moitra. “He clarified some issues, but in some ways you could say he was uncooperative,” said an official familiar with the matter.

Lawyer Pinaki Misra was also summoned to the CBI headquarters in connection with the investigation. His name emerged in the Ethics Commission’s investigation into Moitra. BJD MP Mishra termed the accusations of his involvement in the case as “malicious”.

“This was motivated by deep personal malice. These allegations are completely untrue and are the fabrication of a mentally disturbed person,” Misra told News18.

The CBI also questioned CPWD employees and architects who designed the official bungalow in Mahua Moitra. Sources said CPWD was asked whether the cost of renovation of the bungalow was paid by Hiranandani.

Sources said the CBI has also received a written response from Moitra regarding the allegations against her. “We may want to question her personally later, but for now we have received a written response from her,” another officer said.

News18 has learned that Moitra refuted the allegations against her and denied that the issues she raised in the Lok Sabha were of any benefit to Hiranandani. In her reply to the ethics committee, Moitra admitted that she was close to Hiranandani and did accept gifts like bags and scarves from him.

As part of its investigation, the CBI is looking into possible evidence of quid pro quo between Hiranandani and Moitra. It is also looking for evidence of an alleged money trail. The investigating agency is expected to submit its report to the Lokpal this month, following which an FIR will be filed against Moitra under the Prevention of Corruption Act.