Cash-for-queries allegations: Nishikant Dubey urges IT Minister to probe if outsiders used Mahua Moitra’s LS log-in

On Monday, as the row escalated, the Adani Group latched on to Dubey’s complaint to target Moitra, who has been a critic of the business conglomerate over the Hindenburg allegations, saying groups and individuals have been working overtime to harm its name. In a statement, it said Dehadrai has “filed a complaint with the CBI in the form of a sworn affidavit bringing on record the commission of an elaborate criminal conspiracy by Mahua Moitra and Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of Hiranandani Group for specifically targeting Gautam Adani and his group of companies through parliamentary questions”.

“He has further stated that, as a quid pro quo, Ms Moitra received bribes and undue favours from Hiranandani,” it said.

In response, the Hiranandani Group said there was “no merit” in the allegations. “We have always been in the business of business and not in the business of politics. Our group has always worked with the government in the interest of the nation and will continue doing so,” a spokesperson for the group said.

Tagging Adani Group’s statement, Moitra posted on X: “Mr A – this lame statement your best efforts? Falling back on Fake Degree MP & a jilted ex’s lies? I won’t rest till @dir_ed, @CBItweets investigate & freeze `13000 cr coal scam you have stolen from Indians.”

Dehadrai, apparently Moitra’s estranged partner, had a bitter feud running with her. A senior police officer said in September they received a complaint from Moitra, accusing Dehadrai of trespass and stealing her pet. After receiving the complaint at Barakhamba Road police station, the officers intervened and the pet was returned to Moitra. She then withdrew her complaint.

Dehadrai was unavailable for comments.

Earlier, with his complaint awaiting a decision from the Speaker, BJP MP Dubey wrote a letter to IT Minister Vaishnaw and Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar, demanding an inquiry against Moitra. “These allegations include that she committed a criminal breach of trust, violated parliamentary ethics, and acted in a manner that was detrimental to India’s national security,” he wrote.

He wrote that the charge that Moitra gave Darshan Hiranandani and the Hiranandani conglomerate access to her log-in credentials for the Lok Sabha website so that they could utilise it for their own gain was “possibly the most damning”.

“The alleged sharing of Moitra’s Lok Sabha credentials with an external entity poses a direct threat to national security,” Dubey wrote, urging the IT ministry to initiate a probe and determine whether there were instances in which her Lok Sabha account was accessed at a location where she was not present.

In response, Moitra said “all parliamentary work of MPs is done by PAs, assistants, interns and large teams”, and urged Vaishnaw to release details of the locations and log-in credentials of all MPs with call data records.

Later, MoS Chandrasekhar also waded into the controversy. Citing a question Moitra asked in March 2022, he posted on X: “I have learnt from news reports that this Parliamentary Question was likely asked by a MP at the behest of a data center company. If true this is indeed shocking and shameful. It is true that this company was actively and aggressively lobbying for Data Localization.” The question he referred to was about banning of apps in the country. In response, Moitra posted: “Sir, am a member of IT Communication and JPC on Data Protection. This is a valid question for all Indians. If a hostile nation can steal data from apps – can’t they steal India user data stored overseas? Don’t insult my intelligence by alleging I’m fronting others….”