No referral order on Lokpal’s website on CBI PE, says Mahua Moitra

TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday said Lokpal has not uploaded a referral order on its website under the Lokpal Act nor has the CBI come out with anything official, soon after officials said the CBI had initiated a preliminary inquiry against her.

“I hope the Rs 13,000 crore Adani coal scam earns CBI PE before my witch hunt,” she further wrote on X.

Officials said the CBI has initiated a preliminary inquiry against the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP based on a referral from anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had approached the Lokpal with a complaint against Moitra over allegations of taking bribes to raise questions in Parliament. Dubey had also accused Moitra of endangering national security for monetary gain.

There was no formal statement from the CBI or the Lokpal on the matter.

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, which also probed the allegations against Moitra, has submitted its report which will be tabled in Lok Sabha in the upcoming winter session.

The officials said the CBI has initiated a preliminary inquiry, which is the first step to determine whether the allegations merit a full-fledged investigation. If sufficient preliminary material is found during the PE, the CBI can convert it into an FIR.

Dubey had accused Moitra of raising questions in Lok Sabha to attack the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in return for gifts.

Moitra has denied any wrongdoing and alleged that she was targeted for raising questions about the Adani group’s deals.