Lokpal asks Moitra to rectify errors in complaint against SEBI chief

The Lokpal has asked TMC MP Mahua Moitra to rectify certain errors in her complaint filed last month against SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch, accusing her of improper conduct and engaging in quid pro quo arrangements that allegedly threaten India’s national interests.

Though Moitra had complained to the Lokpal on September 11, she wrote again on October 15 saying that the affidavit had been filed in compliance with the Lokpal's order issued on September 20.

Moitra termed the Lokpal’s order as a “delaying tactic”.

The development has come even as the head of the markets regulator is likely to appear before the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Thursday. The panel, which scrutinises the audit reports of various government projects and schemes, is headed by Congress MP KC Venugopal.

The full Lokpal Bench, led by Justice AM Khanvilkar, had on October 17 directed Moitra to rectify errors in her complaint so that it could be taken up during the next hearing on November 8. It pointed out to Moitra that a signed notarised affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper had not been enclosed with the her complaint. The only affidavit given was on a plain paper. Besides, the statement of allegations enclosed with the complaint was not signed by Moitra, it said.

It had given her two weeks to rectify the defects, so that her complaint could be taken up during the next hearing.