The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra’s Kolkata home was raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday in the cash for query case. This comes a day after the Central probe agency registered an FIR against the TMC leader.   

BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey had earlier alleged that the (now) former MP asked questions in the Upper House in exchange for cash and gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani to slam Adani group boss Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After receiving a report of the CBI’s preliminary inquiry in the case, an FIR was registered on the directions of the Lokpal.

The Lokpal, an anti-corruption body, had asked the CBI to investigate allegations against Moitra and submit a report within six months. Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December 2020, was accused of surrendering confidential log-in credentials for the parliamentary website to Hiranandani, who posted questions directly using her account.

Although Moitra denied the bribery allegations, she admitted to sharing the login details, stating that it is a common practice among MPs. She has contested her expulsion in the Supreme Court.

Earlier in December last year, Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha after a debate on the cash for query allegations and was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha during the debate despite the Trinamool’s request to make her the speaker on behalf of the party during the debate.

The voting was in favour of Moitra’s expulsion, The TMC MP read out her statement outside the Lok Sabha which she prepared. Moitra said it was the conduct of a kangaroo court as there was no evidence of cash. Hiranandani was not heard by the ethics committee either. Moitra said there was no evidence of cash or any gifts anywhere. She said the recommendation for expulsion was solely based on the complaint that she had shared her login. Moitra said there is no rule in this regard.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said on Saturday that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has failed to establish a money trail against any AAP leader despite multiple raids, arrests and a two-year-long investigation in the alleged liquor policy scam.

The press conference by AAP comes a day after the Delhi Court granted seven days of custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ED till March 28 for Kejriwal’s detailed and sustained interrogation regarding his role in the alleged Delhi excise policy case.

Addressing the press, Atishi claimed that the money trail was in fact found in the BJP’s account and challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ED to arrest the BJP national president JP Nadda.  

Atishi asserted that ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 merely based on the statement of one P Sarath Chandra Reddy.

The AAP leader also said that Reddy, head of Aurobindo Pharma, was arrested by the ED in November in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. He has donated crores of money to the BJP through electoral Bonds, Atishi claimed.   

Hitting out at the Modi-led Central government, she said the whole nation is watching the death of democracy that is happening. One by one attacks are happening on the opposition. First, the sitting Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested, and then Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested, if one by one Opposition leaders are put in jail, what is the meaning of the election, she asked. The AAP leader called it a dictatorship.

During a press conference, the Delhi Minister wondered that, for the past two years, CBI and ED investigations have been going on in the so-called excise policy scam of Delhi and during these two years, a question has come up again and again, where is the money trail, she asked. Where did the money go, she further asked. No proceeds of crime were recovered from any leader, minister or worker of AAP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to political leader and activist Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. He took to X and posted that Ram Manohar Lohia remained a strong pillar of the politics of independent India. He said Lohia will always be remembered for his strong socialist views.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi also former activist on X and said Remembering eminent socialist leader and the prominent figure of the Quit India Movement Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary.

The BJP Chief Jagat Prakash Nadda also paid tribute to Lohia. He said a strong supporter of political purity and transparency. Ram Manohar Lohia ji ushered in a new era of nationalist thinking and social empowerment with his principles and ideals. Today I pay respect to him on his birth anniversary. Your contribution to the upliftment of society and nation is unforgettable and will always inspire us for public service.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recalled Ram Manohar Lohia’s role in the Goan liberation movement. He wrote on X that heartfelt tributes to the visionary freedom fighter Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. His pioneering role in Goa’s liberation struggle all shall continue to inspire and guide generations to come.

Samajwadi Party on his X handle said that hundreds of salutes to the brilliant socialist thinker Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. Ram Manohar Lohia was an activist in the Indian independence Movement and a socialist political leader. He was a member of the Praja Socialist Party and the Samyukta Socialist Party.

Former Bihar deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav wrote Humble tribute and heartfelt tribute to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, freedom fighter, advocate of equality, socio economic uniformity, true guardian of democracy, great thinker, dreamer, flag bearer of socialism, on his birth anniversary.