Lokpal of India: In a complaint against All India Trinamool Congress Party’s Mahua Moitra for allegedly sharing her Lok Sabha Login credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani and for raising questions after demanding bribes, Abhilasha Kumari (Judicial Member), Archana Ramasundaram (Member) and Mahender Singh (Member), directed the CBI to investigate all aspects of the allegations made against Moitra and submit a copy of the Investigation Report within a period of six months from the date of receipt of the decision.
Bharatiya Janata Party (‘BJP’) MP Nishikant Dubey had complained against Moitra to the Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, alleging that she raised questions in the House after demanding bribes including 2 Crores cash and gifts from a big firm. Nishikant Dubey stated that he received a letter from Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai in which it was alleged that she shared her Lok Sabha Login credentials i.e., user ID and password details with Darshan Hiranandani, a businessman based in Dubai who, by using these login credentials to which he had direct access, posted questions in the name of Moitra in Parliament, while she was travelling abroad. The said businessman posted questions of his own choice that furthered his own personal agenda of profit and business rivalry, including questions regarding a legal issue involving USD 60 million, pertaining to undisclosed off-shore asset trust and other transactions. It was alleged that by sharing her login credentials, Moitra had compromised her parliamentary privileges and caused a threat to national security. There were also allegations of support demanded from Darshan Hiranandani for the renovation of the bungalow officially allotted to her as a MP.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, the Full Bench directed to refer the complaint to the CBI for making a Preliminary Inquiry under Section 20(1)(a) read with Section 20(2) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (‘the Act’).
CBI’s Preliminary Inquiry Report
The allegation of sharing login credentials, thereby, compromising the parliamentary privileges and causing threat to national security, was found prima facie true. During the inquiry, Darshan Hiranandani had sworn an affidavit stating that Mahua Moitra had shared her Member Portal Password with him to enable him to post questions and that all the 58 online questions, which she had asked, were typed by him. He used the login credentials from Dubai, Bangalore and the United States of America. The allegations of bribe of Rs. 2 Crores and Rs. 75 Lakhs prior to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was not substantiated due to lack of sufficient evidence considering the limited scope of inquiry. Regarding the allegations of demanding various expensive items, travel expenses, holidays etc. along with obtaining logistic help for travelling within India and outside, Darshan Hiranandani had stated in his affidavit that Moitra made frequent demands from him and asked various favours including various expensive luxury items, renovation of her official bungalow in Delhi, travel expenses, holidays and providing logistical and secretarial support for her domestic and foreign travels.
Decision
Upon careful evaluation and consideration of the entire material on record, the Lokpal viewed that there was no doubt regarding the fact that the allegations levelled against Mahua Moitra were supported by cogent evidence. The Lokpal said that the allegations were extremely serious in nature, especially in view of the position held by her. Therefore, it was opined that, a deeper probe was required to establish the truth. It was stated that whatever be the position held, a public servant is bound to exercise probity in the discharge of his/her duties as a public servant. The responsibility and burden are heavier on the shoulders of a public representative. It was said that corruption is a malaise that is adversely affecting the legislative, administrative, social and economic functioning of this democratic country.
Thus, CBI was directed under Section 20(3)(a) of the Act to investigate all aspects of the allegations made against Moitra and submit a copy of the Investigation Report within a period of six months from the date of receipt of the decision. The CBI was also directed to file periodical reports every month regarding the status of investigation.
On Lokpal’s direction, the CBI filed a First Information Report against Mahua Moitra.
[Nishikant Dubey v. Mahua Moitra, 2024 SCC OnLine Dis Crt (Del) 8, Decided on: 19-03-2024]
Note: With Inputs from the Press.
Image Source: @MahuaMoitra/Twitter.com
