ED Initiates Money Laundering Case Against TMC’s Mahua Moitra in Cash-for-Query Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a money laundering investigation against Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra as part of the ongoing cash-for-query probe.

This development stems from an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Moitra, who was previously a TMC lawmaker before being expelled. Moitra, aged 49, had failed to appear for questioning at the ED’s Delhi office despite summons.

She and businessman Darshan Hiranandani were both summoned by the ED in connection with a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation case. The CBI had conducted raids on her premises about the cash-for-query allegations, following directives from the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal, prompted by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s accusations.

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Moitra, who had been renominated by the TMC from the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency, was expelled from the Lok Sabha last year after being found guilty of receiving cash and gifts from Hiranandani in exchange for her parliamentary login credentials. It was alleged that Hiranandani had submitted questions on her behalf targeting the Adani Group. The initial complaint was filed by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai and later escalated by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla.

Following an investigation by the ethics committee, which included questioning Dubey, Dehadrai, and Moitra herself, her expulsion from the Lok Sabha was recommended.

Moitra has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that she is being unfairly targeted due to her inquiries into the dealings of the Adani Group.