Cash-for-query case: Delhi HC sets aside Lokpal order against Mahua Moitra, demands review
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New Delhi: In a significant relief for Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, the Delhi High Court on Friday set aside an order by the Lokpal that had granted sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a chargesheet against her in the cash-for-query case.
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar remanded the matter back to the anti-corruption ombudsman, directing it to reconsider the grant of sanction in accordance with the provisions of the Lokpal Act. The court has ordered the Lokpal to take a fresh decision within a month.
Moitra had challenged the Lokpal’s November 12 order, arguing that it was passed in violation of the procedure prescribed under Section 20 (7) of the Lokpal Act. Her primary contention was that the ombudsman issued the sanction without considering her submissions and filings.
The TMC MP argued that under the Act, the legislative intent requires the Lokpal to actively consider the comments received from a public servant before granting sanction for prosecution, rather than merely receiving them. She claimed the Lokpal had refused to review her submissions at the time of issuing the order, reasoning that they would be considered at a later stage under Section 20 (8) of the Act, a stance the High Court has now overturned.
The allegations against Moitra stem from a complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey in October 2023, accusing her of accepting cash and expensive gifts in exchange for sharing her parliamentary login credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani. While Moitra admitted to sharing her login details, she has vehemently denied accepting any cash bribes.
Following Dubey's complaint, the Lokpal directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry, which led to a formal investigation order in March 2024. The agency submitted its final report in June 2025. Although Moitra was asked to provide her comments on the findings in July, the Lokpal proceeded to issue the sanction order on November 12, which has now been set aside.
