The Central Bureau Of Investigation has asked Lawyer Jai Ananth Dehadrai to appear before the probe agency on January 25 in connection with its probe in the 'cash for query' case involving TMC leader Mahua Moitra. Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha last month after the Ethic's Committee's reports on her after she was accused of accepting cash for asking questions in Parliament. She was facing charges for asking critical questions of the government on the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for cash and gifts.
The committee in its report recommending Moitra's expulsion said, "The serious misdemeanours on the part of Mahua Moitra call for severe punishment. The Committee, therefore, recommend that Mahua Moitra, MP may be expelled from the Membership of the Seventeenth Lok Sabha."
Calling for a government inquiry, the report stated, "In view of highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct of Mahua Moitra, the Committee recommends for an intense, legal, institutional inquiry by the Government of India in a time-bound manner."
The panel also advised a probe by the government into the 'money trail' of cash transactions between Moitra and Hiranandani as a part of 'quid pro quo'. "The 'money trail' of cash transaction between Smt Mahua Moitra and Shri Darshan Hiranandani as a part of 'quid pro quo' should be investigated by the Government of India in a legal, institutional and time-bound manner," the report stated.
The committee adopted its 500-page report on November 9 advising Moitra's expulsion over her "highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct."
Moitra's expulsion saw the opposition rallying behind her in support. Senior opposition leaders including Sonia Gandhi stood behind her and staged a walk out in solidarity with her. Lashing out at the Modi government, Moitra, standing outside Parliament with other leaders, said, "You detest nari shakti (women empowerment). You cannot handle power and authority".