"Its a shame...," West Bengal BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul on CBI inquiry against Mahua Moitra

Nov 26, 2023

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 26 : After the CBI initiated an enquiry in the 'Cash For Query' to look into the allegations, West Bengal BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul on Sunday lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Paul saying that its a "shame" that Mamata Banerjee is "supporting" Mahua Moitra.
Earlier on Saturday, a senior CBI official said that no Preliminary Enquiry (PE) has been registered however an investigation has been initiated as the matter was referred by the anti-corruption body Lokpal.
"We knew this would happen because someone who has played with the security of the nation by taking bribes in cash and kind will be investigated by the CBI. Mahua Moitra has played with the security of the nation by sharing her password with someone whom she wasn't supposed to share. And this person is a citizen of Dubai, not India. And she has taken what we hear is in lieu of cash," Paul said.
"She made international travels 14 times without taking the permission of the Speaker. From where has this fund come? She needs to answer. She is saying now CBI is going to count my shoes. Yes. Of course. Your shoes are not like our shoes...And our CM Mamata Banerjee is supporting her. Whatever is against India, whatever is against the people of India, Mamata Banerjee is for that. It's a shame," said added.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday said that she was amused to see that the anti-corruption body Lokpal which is currently not functioning with a full-time chairman referred the complaint to the Central Bureau of Investigation in the 'Cash For Query' Case.
In this regard, Mahua Moitra also shared a copy of the RTI dated November 3 which mentioned that the position of chairperson is vacant.
"Amused to see how headless Lokpal with no full-time Chairman "referred" my case to CBI. RTI of 3/11/23 says Lokpal has no Chairman since May 2022 and 3 of 8 member posts also vacant! Maybe the Jharkhand Branch of Pitbull Association also moonlighting as Lokpal Committee under BJP," TMC MP posted on X.
Currently, Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, Member (Judicial) has been serving as the acting Chairperson, Lokpal since May 28, 2022.
"We are enquiring into the matter that was sent to us by Lokpal. We have yet to gather more details into the matter," the CBI official told ANI.
Earlier Nishikant Dubey had earlier approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against Moitra, accusing her of asking questions in Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts.
The draft report is learnt to have suggested that "serious misdemeanours on the part of Mahua Moitra calls for severe punishment".The report of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is now with speaker Om Birla who will take a final decision on the fate of the Trinamool MP.