New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a summons to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra regarding a case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), news agency PTI reported. She has been requested to appear before the central agency on February 19.
The TMC leader’s statement will be recorded under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) once she deposes, PTI cited ED sources as saying.
Mahua Moitra's ED summons comes months after her expulsion from the Lok Sabha, following the adoption of the Ethics Committee's report. The report found her culpable of allegedly accepting gifts and unlawful favours from a businessman with the intent to promote his interests.
Earlier in the day, Mahua Moitra responded to a questionnaire from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding allegations of corruption related to her parliamentary activities, according to news agency PTI. The CBI is currently reviewing her response and plans to submit a report to the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal, who initially referred the case to the agency.
The CBI's inquiry into the accusations against Moitra was initiated based on Lokpal's referral. Additionally, it is reported that the CBI has spoken with lawyer Jai Dehadrai and businessman Darshan Hiranandani in connection with their investigation.
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Despite attempts by PTI to obtain comments from Moitra, there has been no response. The CBI has also chosen not to comment on the matter.
The allegations against Moitra were made by BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey. He claimed that Moitra had posed questions in the Lok Sabha targeting the Adani group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the influence of businessman Darshan Hiranandani, allegedly in exchange for gifts. Furthermore, Dubey accused Moitra of jeopardising national security for personal gain. Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha last December.