TMC leader Mahua Moitra to skip ED summons in forex case

Digital Desk: Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra is likely to skip the Directorate of Enforcement's (ED) summons to appear in person today on a case involving a foreign currency violation. The West Bengal chief declined the first two summonses from the investigation agency due to scheduling issues, and on Wednesday the agency sent her a third summons.

Today, Ms. Moitra was scheduled to appear before the probe agency at its Delhi office; instead, she has chosen to campaign for her party in Krishnanagar, West Bengal. She said reporters, according to news agency PTI, "I will be out for campaigning in the Krishnangar constituency in the afternoon."

According to sources on Wednesday, the ED wants to speak with her on transactions connected to a non-resident external, or NRE, account. Ms. Moitra has refuted any misconduct in this regard.

The former MP was dismissed from the Lok Sabha due to charges of receiving cash in exchange for a question. Businessman Darshan Hiranandani allegedly paid her Rs 2 crore in cash and "luxury gifts" in exchange for her asking pointed questions of the administration in Parliament.

Her actions were deemed "immoral" and "indecent" by a parliamentary ethics tribunal when it was claimed that she gave Mr. Hiranandani the login credentials for her parliament MP account. It is also stated that the account was accessed several times abroad.

Additionally, Mr. Hiranandani has been summoned to testify in a matter concerning his real estate company located in Mumbai. Niranjan Hiranandani, his father, was also questioned previously.

After filing a formal complaint against Mahua Moitra, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) searched the former MP's Kolkata residence on Saturday in connection with the cash-for-query case.

The central agency was instructed to look into the accusations against her and provide a report in six months by the Lokpal anti-corruption panel last week.