The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting searches at several locations in Kolkata linked to former Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in the cash-for-query case. The development comes days after the central agency registered an FIR against Mahua Moitra.

The FIR was registered on the directions of the Lokpal after receiving a report of the CBI's preliminary inquiry into allegations against Moitra by BJP Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey.

Nishikant Dubey had alleged that the TMC leader asked questions in Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani to attack industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Moitra, however, has denied all the charges.

The Lokpal has sought an investigation report from the CBI within six months. The CBI has been asked to file monthly reports regarding the status of the investigation.

WHAT IS THE CASH-FOR-QUERY CASE?

In his complaint, Dubey also alleged that Moitra asked around 50 questions in Parliament that were linked to the business interests of Hiranandani and his company. Moita allegedly received Rs 75 lakh from the businessman before the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha last year for "unethical conduct". She has challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court. The former Krishnanagar MP has been fielded from the same constituency by the TMC in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Source: India Today