ED files money laundering case against TMC leader Mahua Moitra in a cash-for-query row

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Mahua Moitra in a cash-for-query row that also involves Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani, reported news agency ANI quoting its sources.

Earlier, the TMC leader missed ED summons that asked her to appear for questioning at the New Delhi office. The probe agency had issued fresh summons to Moitra and Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani for questioning in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) contravention case. The 49-year-old Trinamool Congress leader was called for questioning twice earlier by the central agency, but she did not depose citing official work and sought deferment of the notice.

Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December for «unethical conduct», has been renominated by her party from West Bengal's Krishnanagar seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Moitra has denied any wrongdoing.

Moitra has been in controversy since Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey accused her of asking questions in the Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts.

Dubey had also accused Moitra of compromising national security for monetary gains.

Moitra was expelled as a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) on December 8 following the Ethics Panel's determination of her guilt in the 'cash-for-query' case.
Moitra has also approached the Supreme Court, challenging her expulsion from the lower house of Parliament in connection with the 'cash-for-query' allegations.

(with agency inputs)