Cash-for-query allegation: ED files money laundering case against Moitra, Hiranandani

The CBI lodged an FIR last month against Moitra and Hiranandani, days after the Lokpal ordered a formal investigation in the case. In their FIR, the CBI states: “In compliance of the order dated March 19, a regular case is registered against Moitra, the then Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Hiranandani, private person and unknown others…Under IPC Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and several Sections of 7, 8 & 12 of PoC Act and substantive offences thereof, on the allegations that Moitra indulged in corrupt practices including, but not limited to, taking bribes and other undue advantages from Hiranandani, private person for compromising her parliamentary privileges and causing national security threats by sharing her login credentials of Lok Sabha.”

The Lokpal had told the central agency to submit a copy of its report within six months.

A source said they have called Moitra and Hiranandani in this case for questioning but they have not deposed till now, citing official engagements.

On December 8, Moitra was expelled from Lok Sabha, which adopted the report of its Ethics Committee that found her “guilty of unethical conduct” and called for “an intense, legal institutional inquiry” by the government “in a time-bound manner”. Moitra represented the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat, and was fielded from the same constituency by the TMC for the Lok Sabha polls.

In October 2023, the cash-for-query allegations took a serious turn with Hiranandani claiming in an affidavit to the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha that Moitra provided him her Parliament login and password so that he could “post the questions” directly “on her behalf when required”. Moitra called the letter “a joke” and said that “the draft of this letter was sent by the PMO and he (Darshan) was forced to sign it”.