ED summons Mahua Moitra, bizman Darshan Hiranandani in forex violation case

TMC leader Mahua Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani has been summoned by Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) contravention case on March 28, official sources said on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old Trinamool Congress leader was also called earlier for questioning by the central agency.

Last Thursday, following directions of anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal, the CBI registered an FIR against Moitra in the cash-for-query case. 

According to sources, transactions linked to a non-resident external (NRE) account are under the ED's scanner apart from a few other foreign remittances and fund transfers, reported PTI.

BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey had made allegations against Moitra leading to agency’s preliminary inquiry, findings of which led the Lokpal to issue the directions to the CBI, according to media reports.

Dubey alleged that Moitra asked questions in Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others, Business today reported.

The Lokpal had directed the CBI to submit its findings in six months before it after investigating all aspects of the complaints against her in the matter, it said.

Moitra, known for her fiery speeches in Parliament, has denied any wrongdoing and claims she is being targeted for raising questions on the deals of the Adani Group.

The Lokpal found that “allegations levelled against the RPS (Respondent Public Servant), most of which are supported by cogent evidence, are extremely serious in nature, especially in view of the position held by her.” 

“Therefore, in our considered opinion, a deeper probe is required to establish the truth. This is vital in view of the position and status held by the RPS at the relevant point of time,” said the order of the Lokpal bench.

Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December for “unethical conduct”, a decision which she challenged in the Supreme Court. Moitra, has been renominated by her party from Bengal’s Krishnanagar seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.