Cash for Query row: ‘CBI probe ordered against Mahua Moitra’, claims Nishikant Dubey; TMC MP says ‘probe Adani first’

New Delhi: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday claimed that anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) based on his complaint in the ‘Cash for Query’ row.

In a post on X, Nishikant Dubey said, “Lokpal today, based on my complaint, ordered a CBI inquiry against MP Mahua ji, who committed corruption by mortgaging national security.”

लोकपाल ने आज मेरे कम्प्लेन पर आरोपी सांसद महुआ जी के राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा को गिरवी रखकर भ्रष्टाचार करने पर CBI inquiry का आदेश दिया

— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) November 8, 2023

Earlier, Dubey lodged a complaint with the Lokpal against the Trinamool Congress leader on October 21.

“(I am) tired of hearing CBI, CBI. I filed a complaint (against Mahua Moitra) with the Lokpal today. The Lokpal is the only authority that is mandated to look into complaints of corruption or impropriety against MPs, ministers, or other people’s representatives,” Nishikant Dubey said.

Reacting to the news about the CBI initiating the inquiry, Mahua Moitra retorted by once again dragging in the Adani group.

“For media calling me, my answer is: 1. CBI needs to first file FIR on Rs 13,000 crore Adani coal scam 2. The national security issue is how dodgy FPI-owned (inc Chinese and UAE ) Adani firms are buying Indian ports and airports with Home Ministry clearance. Then CBI is welcome to come and count my shoes,” Moitra posted on X.

For media calling me- my answer:
1. CBI needs to first file FIR on ₹13,000 crore Adani coal scam
2. National security issue is how dodgy FPI owned (inc Chinese & UAE ) Adani firms buying Indian ports & airports with @HMOIndia clearance

Then CBI welcome to come, count my shoes

— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) November 8, 2023

Meanwhile, the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha, which is investigating the cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, will now meet on November 9 for the “consideration and adoption” of its draft report.

Earlier, the meeting of the panel headed by Vinod Kumar Sonkar was scheduled to be convened on November 7.

Moitra had appeared before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on November 2 over the cash-for-query allegations against her. Along with opposition members of the panel, she “walked out” of the meeting on Thursday. Opposition members raised questions over the line of questioning and alleged that “personal questions” were posed to the Trinamool Congress MP.

BSP MP Danish Ali, Janata Dal (United) MP Giridhari Yadav, and Congress MP Uttam Kumar Reddy were among those who “walked out” of the meeting. Moitra alleged that she was subjected to humiliating personal questions from the panel.

In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Moitra stated that “unethical, sordid, prejudiced behaviour was meted out” to her during the meeting.

Under the ‘Cash for Query’ charges made by Nishikant Dubey against Mahua Moitra, Dubey alleged that the Trinamool MP had taken bribes from Dubai-based businessman Hiranandani to raise questions in Parliament to target the Adani Group.

Dubey had written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla last month titled “Re-emergence of nasty ‘Cash for Query’ in Parliament”, seeking a probe into his allegations. He also claimed that Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai had provided him with proof of alleged bribes. Both Dubey and Jai Dehadrai have appeared before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee.