CBI raids Mahua Moitra's ancestral home

KOLKATA: Expelled MP and Trinamool Congress Krishnanagar candidate Mahua Moitra's ancestral residence in Kolkata's Alipore area was searched by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday in the cash-for-query case. The Trinamool party office in Krishnanagar was also raided later in the day after conducting search operations at her residence.

Moitra, a Trinamool candidate from Krishnanagar, is presently at her Constituency for campaign. During the raid, Mohua's mother was present at the home, sources said. The house that was raided belonged to her father. Moitra's residence in Alipore was raided for seven hours today, people in the know. Following this, a team of CBI officials raided Trinamool party office in Krishnanagar and adjacent residential area.

This comes a day after the CBI reportedly registered a FIR against Moitra. The anti-corruption body Lokpal had earlier this week asked the CBI to probe the allegations against Moitra and submit a report within six months.


The Lokpal directive came after a complaint was filed by BJP Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey alleging that Moitra had asked questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani attacking industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others.

Trinamool Congress has lashed out against BJP for usage of central agencies against opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress.
"It is clear by now that usage of CBI and ED has been increased by 365 percent and against 90% opposition parties. After MCC came into force, BJP is utilizing the central agencies against all important political opposition parties and political leaders out of their political vendetta. BJP is using the agencies as their tools," Santanu Sen, spokesperson of Trinamool Congress said.

"CBI and ED are being completely used for political purpose. In order to hurl atrocities against non-BJP and anti-BJP opposition in various states. A conspiracy was hatched against Mahua Moitra as she raised questions about corruption related BJP and PM Narendra Modi. That is why Mahua Moitra was targeted. When she was called before the Parliamentary Committee, she was not allowed to speak in self-defence. BJP was desperate to expel her," Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh said.

"Mahua Moitra is our candidate and she is fighting and will win. The Conspiracy will be replied by people of Krishnanagar. CBI,ED, NIA and IT are being used and agency is misused and BJP is scared that they are not returning to power. BJP is not politically confident," the senior Trinamool Congress leader said.
Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December last year.