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TMC leader Mahua Moitra Skips ED Summons, Prioritizes Election Campaign
Former Trinamool Congress MP and contesting candidate from the Krishnanagar seat, Mahua Moitra, has opted to skip the Enforcement Directorate's summons on Thursday in connection with an alleged Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation case. Instead, she will continue her election campaign in Krishnanagar. Moitra had urged the ED officials to defer her summons until after the general elections, but the agency is yet to respond to her request. This marks the third summon issued to her by the central agency, with Moitra having previously skipped two summonses due to official commitments.
The allegations against Moitra stem from a cash-for-query scandal, where she purportedly exchanged questions in the Lok Sabha for monetary benefits from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani, as claimed by BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey. Transactions from a non-resident external (NRE) account and other foreign remittances are also under scrutiny by the ED. Mahua Moitra has denied the allegations leveled against her, labeling them as defamatory and baseless. Moitra was suspended from the Lok Sabha in December 2023, in connection with the alleged cash-for-query scam.
The Central Bureau of Investigation raided her premises on Saturday in connection with the same case. This action followed a directive from the Lokpal, instructing the CBI to investigate allegations made by Nishikant Dubey. Moitra decried the raids as an attempt to undermine her electoral campaign and tarnish her reputation. The CBI, however, is yet to disclose any findings from the raids.
Mahua Moitra is contesting from Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency that goes to polling on May 13 (Phase 4). Moitra had been summoned by the central agency twice before. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee, recovering from a head injury, is anticipated to commence her campaign in Krishnanagar on March 31. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating FEMA violations, with Capricornian Shipping & Logistics Pvt Ltd under scrutiny.
