Lokpal has ordered CBI probe against Mahua Moitra claims BJP MP Nishikant Dubey amid cash-for-query row

This comes days after the BJP MP accused Moitra of asking questions in the Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts.

New Delhi: A day ahead of the Ethics Committee meeting to prepare a report on the 'cash for query' allegations against Mahua Moitra, complainant and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday claimed that anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal had ordered a CBI probe against the TMC MP.

Late at night, NDTV reported that the draft report prepared by the Ethics Committee has recommended the expulsion of Moitra from the Lok Sabha.

The TMC MP posted on 'X' that she was "Glad to see Adani TV has a copy of Unethical Standing Committee Report BEFORE it is placed before Committee" on Thursday.

"Just like Lokpal referrals announced via the hired help. Modi Adani Bhai Bhai, Sabh Institutions Bye Bye," she added.

Sources said Opposition MPs are likely to submit dissent notes.

The meeting of the committee was initially scheduled for Tuesday but postponed to Thursday, prompting Congress MP and panel member N Uttam Kumar Reddy to seek a further rescheduling of the deliberations.

Dubey posted on X, "On my complaint, Lokpal today ordered a CBI inquiry into the mortgaging of national security and corruption of accused MP Mahua-ji."

Mahua retorted, “Lokpal abhi Zinda Hai (Lokpal is alive)”. 

In another post, Mahua said on 'X', "For media calling me, my answer: 1) CBI needs to first file FIR on Rs 13,000 crore Adani coal scam. 2) National security issue is how dodgy FPI owned (including Chinese and UAE ) Adani firms buying Indian ports and airports with Ministry of Home Affairs' clearance. Then CBI welcome to come, count my shoes."

"Very happy to know Modiji’s Lok Pal exists - & been spurred into action by specially bred pit bulls. Also Godi Media - why not ask Lok Pal’s office to release statement on referral. Bit humiliating for LP office to outsource such important announcements to canine farms, eh?," she added after Dubey's claims on the CBI probe.

Reddy on his part wrote to panel chairperson Vinod Kumar Sonkar, urging him to postpone the November 9 meeting to any other date as he is filing nominations for Telangana elections.

"I have received a communication that the Ethics committee meeting on the Mahua Moitra issue for consideration/adoption of the report would be held on November 7. Then suddenly and inexplicably the date is changed to November 9. As I am filing nomination for Telangana Assembly elections on November 9, I request you to kindly postpone the meeting to any other date," Reddy wrote.