The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra and Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in connection with a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) contravention case. According to reports, Moitra and Hiranandani were called for questioning on Thursday at the ED office in the national capital.
This development comes after Moitra was previously summoned twice by the central agency but did not depose, citing official work, and requested deferment of the notice. However, she has now been asked to appear before the ED along with Hiranandani.
Moitra’s associate, Suhan Mukherjee, is also under scrutiny by the ED in Delhi. Reports indicate that transactions between Moitra and Mukherjee are being investigated. Mukherjee is a prominent lawyer in West Bengal. He is known for handling legal matters for several top politicians associated with the TMC.
According to PTI reports, the ED mainly focuses on transactions linked to a non-resident external (NRE) account, foreign remittances and fund transfers.
Furthermore, last Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Moitra in the cash-for-query case. The case was initiated following directions from the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal.
The Lokpal issued directives to the CBI after receiving the findings of the agency’s preliminary inquiry into allegations made by BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey against Moitra. The CBI has been instructed to submit its findings within six months after investigating all aspects of the complaints against her.
Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December on grounds of “unethical conduct.” She has since challenged her expulsion from the Supreme Court and is set to contest the upcoming general elections as the TMC candidate from the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal.
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Dubey has alleged that Moitra received cash and gifts from Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions in Lok Sabha to attack industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Moitra has denied all charges against her.
In its findings, the Lokpal deemed the allegations against Moitra serious and emphasized the need for a deeper probe to establish the truth, considering her position and status at the relevant time.
Moreover, the ED has summoned Hiranandani in a separate FEMA case related to his Mumbai-based realty group. His father, Niranjan Hiranandani, had previously deposed before the ED in Mumbai.
In the ongoing case, the ED examined an advocate allegedly associated with Moitra at its office. Moitra’s party’s renomination from the Krishnanagar seat amidst these controversies underscores the political ramifications of the situation.
Following Lokpal’s directive, the CBI had conducted raids at Moitra’s premises in connection with the cash-for-query case. The allegations made by Dubey have stirred significant controversy, with Moitra asserting that she is being targeted due to her questioning of deals involving the Adani Group.
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