Sagarika Mitra, Content Head of JAN KI BAAT does a deep dive into the scandal that has rocked Indian politics.
In a fresh turn of event in the ‘Cash for Query’ scandal, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla referred the complaint made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra to the Ethics Committee of the lower House. This move intensifies the ongoing tussle between the two parliamentarians and brings the allegations against Moitra under official scrutiny.
On Sunday, Nishikant Dubey wrote a letter to the Lok Sabha speaker alleging that Moitra accepted “bribes” from a businessman in exchange for posing questions in Parliament. He implored Pm Birla to establish an inquiry committee to thoroughly investigate these charges.
In response, Mahua Moitra hit back saying she’s willing to face any proceedings against her provided it should only occur after the Lok Sabha Speaker addresses the pending ‘fake degree’ charges against Dubey.
The Ethics Committee, which will scrutinise this high-stakes matter, is presided over by BJP member Vinod Kumar Sonkar.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on her part, has filed a defamation suit in Delhi high court against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and several media organisations.
What are the allegations against Mahua Moitra?
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has accused TMC Mahua Moitra of abusing her MP privileges and collecting confidential policy information from parliament proceedings, allegedly for the benefit of a business tycoon, Darshan Hiranandani. The allegations, disclosed in an affidavit has also been sent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by Jai Anant Dehadri, a Supreme Court lawyer and former partner of Mahua Moitra. The charges indicate quid pro quo and luxury gifts exchanged for political favors.
Did Mahua Moitra accept bribes and luxury gifts to further the interests of Hiranandani Group?
The allegations against Mahua Moitra paint a picture of grave ethical misconduct. Jai Anant’s affidavit details the lavish gifts and favors she purportedly received from Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for political influence:
1. Costly iPhones, diamond and emerald jewelry, scarves from luxury brands like Hermes and Louis Vuitton, and an extensive collection of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes.
2. Dozens of bottles of expensive French and Italian wines, luxury cosmetics sourced from Dubai, Gucci bags, and a Berluti crocodile leather bag.
3. Regular cash deliveries in both rupees and pounds.
Additionally, as per the affidavit, Hiranandani allegedly handed Moitra a substantial amount of British pounds directly in front of Jai Anant Dehadri
Did Mahua Moitra give her Lok Sabha Portal login credentials to Hiranandani?
The scandal takes a more sinister turn as the allegations unveil the misuse of Parliament’s Loksabha portal. Moitra, according to the affidavit, provided her Loksabha portal username and password to Hiranandani, allowing him access to ask questions and extract crucial information. It is further claims that she asked a total of 61 questions in Loksabha, with 50 of them allegedly benefiting Hiranandani’s business interests.
Quid Pro Quo Relationship?
The most damning aspect of the allegations lies in the apparent quid pro quo between Mahua Moitra and Darshan Hiranandani. The affidavit discloses the intricate details of their relationship:
1. This alleged exchange of political influence and gifts reportedly began in 2018.
2. In March 2020, Hiranandani purportedly gave Moitra a sum of Rs 75 lakhs.
3. In May 2021, the amount allegedly surged to a staggering Rs 2 crore, with Hiranandani’s request for Moitra to allegedly target the Adani group in her parliamentary inquiries.
The accusations are not confined to luxury gifts but extend to extensive interior and architectural renovations of Moitra’s residence, reportedly undertaken and paid for by Darshan Hiranandani himself.
Mahua Moitra: A pawn in a corporate war?
Jai Anant Dehadri’s affidavit further asserts that Moitra asked a significant number of questions in Parliament, which were designed to directly benefit Darshan Hiranandani’s business interests. It is alleged that these inquiries also targeted the Adani group and aimed to extract critical information for Hiranandani’s enterprises. Moreover, some of these queries were related to a legal case against Hiranandani concerning the discovery of his undeclared offshore trusts, worth over $60 million.
The revelations suggest that Moitra may have been instrumental in advancing personal vendettas by pressuring the government to intervene in matters like a West Bengal tender, where Hiranandani’s business interests were at odds with that of the Adani group.
Mahua Moitra’s Defiant Response to the Allegations
In a series of defiant tweets, Moitra took on BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, Supreme Court Lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and the Adani group.
She pointed a finger at the Adani group and implied that they may be relying on dubious sources and fake degree-holders to silence or discredit her.
She also took a swipe at BJP MP Nishikant Dubey by calling him ‘Degree Dubey’, sarcastically stating that intends to use her ‘ill gotten wealth’ to buy a college or university in which he can acquire a “real degree.”
On the allegation of sharing her Lok Sabha Login credentials, she didn’t exactly deny the charge but called for details of the location and login information of all Members of Parliament, with Call Detail Records (CDRs) to be released, as well as information on the training provided to the Lok Sabha staff
Hiranandani group’s response to the allegations:
The Hiranandani Group vehemently refuted the allegations put forth by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey in his letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. An official spokesperson for the Hiranandani Group stated that their engagements have consistently been in line with the nation’s best interests.
‘We have always been in the business of business and not in the business of politics. Our group has always worked with the government in the interest of the nation and will continue doing so’, said a spokesperson of the Hiranandani Group
Who is Darshan Hiranandani?
Darshan Hiranandani, the central figure in the recent allegations surrounding the Mahua Moitra bribery controversy, is a businessman who serves as the CEO of the Hiranandani Group. As the son of the renowned real-estate billionaire Niranjan Hiranandani, Darshan Hiranandani carries forward the family legacy by leading the unlisted property development arm of the Hiranandani Group, operating primarily in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
As per the affidavit filed by Mahua Moitra’s former partner Jai Anant Dehadrai, real estate tycoon Darshan Hiranandani referred to Moitra as “Santa’s Little Helper” who was “in his pocket”.
Adani group’s statement on the issue:
The Adani Group expressed its apprehension over what it calls ‘deliberate efforts by certain groups and individuals to damage its reputation and market standing’. In its detailed statement, Adani Group emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that, “this arrangement to besmirch the reputation and interests of the Adani Group and our Chairman Gautam Adani has been in place since 2018.”
It further stated that this development corroborates the group’s earlier statement from October 9, 2023, where it alerted the public to orchestrated attacks against the Adani Group’s market value by “foreign entities like the OCCRP, supported by a section of the foreign media, short-sellers, and domestic collaborators.” The Adani Group contended that these efforts are part of a coordinated playbook executed with precision, involving a well-organized machinery operating both within India and abroad.
Who is Jai Anant Dehadrai?
Dehadrai, is a lawyer of the Supreme Court of India. His association with Mahua Moitra is marked by a complex history that extends beyond the realm of politics. It is revealed that he was once a close friend and partner of the TMC MP, but the relationship soured, leading to a protracted custody battle that included an unlikely stakeholder – their beloved pet dog. The acrimony between the two parties escalated to the point where Moitra filed multiple police complaints against Dehadrai over the past six months, alleging offenses ranging from criminal trespass to theft, along with accusations of receiving vulgar messages and abuse.
The legal notice filed against Dehadrai sheds light on the trajectory of their falling out, indicating that he allegedly “repeatedly threatened” Moitra with malicious and vulgar messages and even trespassed on her official residence, making off with personal belongings, including the contentious custody of her dog. The notice further points out that although the dog was eventually returned, Moitra resorted to filing police complaints against Dehadrai due to his alleged violations.
Curiously, the notice contends that Dehadrai made unsuccessful attempts to induce journalists to publish false stories about Moitra, unable to convince them of their authenticity due to a lack of evidence. Frustrated by his inability to sway the media, Dehadrai allegedly turned to the BJP and Nishikant Dubey, making the accusations against Moitra.
As we delve into this scandal, the questions emerge:
1. Can Mahua Moitra provide a comprehensive response to the detailed allegations in Jai Anant Dehadri’s affidavit, which includes explicit information about luxury gifts, cash transactions, and her alleged misuse of her parliamentary privileges?
2. How does Moitra justify her alleged misuse of the Lok Sabha portal and her involvement in extracting confidential information for the benefit of a business tycoon?
3. What is Moitra’s stance on the numerous questions she posed in Parliament that appear to directly align with Darshan Hiranandani’s business interests?
4. Is there any verifiable evidence that contradicts the claims made in the affidavit?
5. How will Moitra address the ethical concerns surrounding her acceptance of lavish gifts and cash deliveries, potentially compromising her role as a Member of Parliament?
6. Why were so many questions raised by Mohua Moitra in Parliament directly related to Hiranandani’s business interests?
7. Was the Parliamentary Questions route used by the Hiranandani Group via TMC MP Mahua Moitra? Did they have access to her Parliamentary login?
8. Did Mahua Moitra share her Parliamentary login details with Hiranandani Group? Will the I-T logs through National Informatics Centre reveal the details?
9. Was Mahua Moitra on Hiranandani’s side in his corporate war with the Adani group?
10. Did Mahua Moitra take on the Adani group after being prodded and influenced by the Hiranandani Group?
These questions, along with the allegations, demand a thorough investigation and a clear and transparent response from Mahua Moitra. The scandal has ignited a national conversation about the conduct of MPs and the importance of upholding the trust placed in them by the electorate. So far, TMC is silent, so is TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. It remains to be seen how this unfolding saga will impact Moitra’s political career and, more broadly, the public’s faith in the political system.
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