As the Lok Sabha elections draw nearer, the recent raid on former MP Mahua Moitra’s residence has sparked controversy nationwide.
The raid on Mahua Moitra’s residence comes amidst ongoing allegations that the Central Intelligence Agency is targeting opposition leaders as the parliamentary elections approach. Opposition parties have accused the central government of utilizing CBI and enforcement officials to intimidate leaders from the opposition camp.
Instances of Action Against Opposition Leaders: In January last year, enforcement officials attempted to arrest Hemant Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, leading to his resignation amid heightened political tensions. Subsequently, Soren was apprehended by enforcement officers.
Following Soren’s case, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested yesterday, signaling a trend of actions being taken against opposition figures.
In continuation of this pattern, CBI officials have conducted a raid on the residence of Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who was dismissed from her position due to allegations of accepting bribes to pose questions in Parliament.
The Lokpal body instructed an investigation into the allegations against Moitra earlier this week, with a mandate to submit a report within six months. Consequently, the CBI filed a First Information Report against her yesterday.
The Raid on Mahua Moitra’s Residence: Against this backdrop, the raid on Moitra’s residence has ignited a nationwide uproar. Moitra, who garnered national attention for her vocal stance against the BJP in Parliament, faced accusations of accepting bribes to raise specific questions.
Businessman Darshan Hiranandani lodged a complaint with the Lok Sabha Disciplinary Action Committee against Moitra, alleging that she posed questions in Parliament after receiving payments from him. Additionally, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, requesting an inquiry into Moitra’s actions.
Moitra’s former partner and Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anand Dehatrai, who provided evidence to Nishikant Dubey, filed a complaint with the CBI against Moitra.
Following a thorough inquiry by the Lok Sabha Disciplinary Action Committee involving both parties, the Ethics Committee recommended Moitra’s suspension from the Lok Sabha. Subsequently, Moitra was stripped of her MP post by a resolution passed by Parliament.