Mahua Moitra's defamation case to be heard on October 31
All India Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra's defamation plea has been listed for hearing in the Delhi High Court on October 31. Moitra had filed a defamation case against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, and several media houses. Dubey had accused her of asking questions in Parliament against the Adani group in return for cash from Darshan Hiranandani.
Moitra's counsel withdraws from 'cash from query' case
Reportedly, Moitra's case was postponed after her lawyer, Gopal Sankaranarayanan, withdrew, citing a conflict of interest. "I am no longer concerned with the case I have withdrawn from the case," he said. Notably, she had asked the court for directions to take down defamatory claims against her. But Hiranandani had supported the claims, accepting that he did pay her for shooting questions in Parliament.
Delhi HC adjourns Moitra's plea
Moitra's lawyer tried to contact me: Dehadrai
Meanwhile, Moitra's former partner, Supreme Court lawyer Dehadrai, accused Moitra's former lawyer Sankaranarayanan of contacting him. Sankaranarayanan accepted that he had contacted Dehadrai, but with Moitra's permission. He said that Dehadrai had instructed him previously and just wanted to seek his guidance on the matter. Denouncing his "behavior," Justice Sachin Datta asked Sankaranarayanan if he still thought he could act as Moitra's lawyer.
Moitra, Dehadrai in legal battle over custody of their dog
Dehadrai is reportedly the estranged partner of Moitra. The two are in a bitter feud over the custody of their pet dog, Henry, who is with Moitra. On Friday, Dehadrai alleged that Moitra offered to give Henry back in exchange for him dropping the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complaint against her regarding her alleged association with the Hiranandani group.
Dubey provides evidence against Moitra
Dubey had earlier presented evidence against Moitra. Hiranandani has also submitted a three-page affidavit detailing Moitra's bribery to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee. The BJP MP said that Moitra saw an opportunity to become famous by slandering the businessman and took it. On Friday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla referred the case to the Ethics Committee of the Lower House.
Moitra's fresh allegations on BJP
The West Bengal MP welcomed the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee probe into the case. In a social media post, she said that she was ready to answer any questions directed to her by the committee or the CBI. She also accused the BJP of trying to shut her up to stop her from questioning businessman Gautam Adani and his company.
