Lokpal delays hearing on Mahua Moitra’s complaint against SEBI chief

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has expressed concerns over the Lokpal’s delay in addressing her complaint against SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch, filed a month ago. The hearing has been rescheduled to November 8, following technical errors detected in a similar complaint filed by another individual.

Moitra had submitted her complaint to the Lokpal on September 11, accusing Buch of improper conduct and quid pro quo arrangements that allegedly threaten India’s national interests. She cited allegations made by Hindenburg Research on August 10, 2024, questioning SEBI’s handling of investigations into the Adani Group’s offshore shareholders and potential conflicts of interest.

On October 15, Moitra replied to the Lokpal, providing additional documents to support her complaint, including news reports, disclosures, and statements from the public domain. However, it was mistakenly reported that the Lokpal had asked Moitra to rectify errors in her complaint.

During the October 17 hearing, the Lokpal bench, led by Justice AM Khanvilkar, directed the third complainant to rectify errors within two weeks and scheduled the hearing for November 8. Moitra took to social media to express her concerns, stating that the Lokpal is putting the burden of proof on her and highlighting the delay.

She previously urged the Lokpal to forward her complaint to ED or CBI for a preliminary probe, followed by a “full FIR enquiry”. The SEBI chief has denied the allegations made by Hindenburg Research.