Kolkata, India

India’s federal investigation agency CBI on Saturday (Mar 23) raided Kolkata home of key opposition figure Mahua Moitra in the cash-for-query case. The Central Bureau of Investigation had registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader on Friday. CBI’s action came after the anti-corruption body Lokpal asked it to file a case against Mahua Moitra earlier this week. The CBI has been asked to file a report of the case within six months, along with updated status every month.

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"After careful evaluation and consideration of the entire material on record, there remains no doubt regarding the fact that the allegations leveled against the Respondent Public Servant (RPS), most of which are supported by cogent evidence, are extremely serious in nature, especially in view of the position held by her," Lokpal had said in its order.

The cash-for-query case

Moitra was expelled from the lower house of the Indian parliament in the case last December. An ethics panel had recommended the ex-MP be removed as she allegedly took bribe from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions critical of the Narendra Modi government in Parliament.

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Moitra was also accused of imparting her confidential log-in credentials for the parliamentary website to Hiranandani so that he could post questions directly.

Also read: Cash-for-query case: India anti-graft body Lokpal orders CBI to probe TMC leader Mahua Moitra

Moitra has, however, denied any wrongdoing.

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She argues sharing the login credentials is a common practice among parliamentarians. She has challenged her expulsion from the parliament in the Indian Supreme Court.

Also read: Who is Mahua Moitra, the Indian MP expelled from parliament over `cash-for-query` scandal?

Moitra is seeking another term in Lok Sabha in the upcoming general elections as TMC has fielded her from West Bengal's Krishnanagar seat.

(With inputs from agencies)