Cash-for-query scam: CBI asks lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai to join probe against Mahua Moitra

The CBI has summoned lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai asking him to join a preliminary enquiry against expelled TMC parliamentarian Mahua Moitra in connection with the "cash-for-query" scam.

The agency has asked Dehadrai to appear before it on Thursday to record his version.

Under the preliminary enquiry, the agency has the power to examine documents and summon a person for questioning, but it cannot carry out searches or make arrests.

According to the agency’s manual, a PE is a formal enquiry into any matter to ascertain whether the CBI wants to convert it into a regular case (by filing a First Information Report) based on the available evidence or close it.

Moitra came under the spotlight after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey approached the Lokpal with a complaint, based on Dehadrai's allegations, claiming that the TMC MP had taken bribes to raise questions in the parliament.

Once close to Moitra, Dehadrai had alleged that Moitra accepted money and favours to ask questions in Parliament.

Moitra is accused of giving direct access of her official MP ID to businessman Darshan Hiranandani to post questions on the Lok Sabha portal on her behalf and receiving expensive gifts from the businessman.

Last month, she was expelled after the House adopted the report of its Ethics Committee that held her guilty. The TMC leader has challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court.

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