Cash For Query: Delhi High Court Overturns Lokpal Sanction Against CBI for Filing Chargesheet, Relieving Mahua Moitra

Cash For Query:  Lokpal’s ruling authorizing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a chargesheet against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in the purported cash-for-query case was overturned by the Delhi High Court on Friday.

Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar of the High Court bench requested that the Lokpal reexamine the sanction issue and make a decision within a month.

In accordance with the 2013 Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, the court has requested that the Lokpal take sanctions into consideration. As the bench delivered its decision, it said, “The impugned order is set aside.”

After the Lokpal gave the CBI permission to submit a charge sheet within four weeks on November 12, the TMC MP petitioned the High Court. The CBI was also required to submit the findings to the anti-corruption ombudsman.

Moitra had contested the ruling, claiming that it had been imposed without considering her defense, which included both thorough written and spoken arguments.

She referred to it as a disdain for the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 framework. Nidhesh Gupta, Moitra’s attorney, argued before the High Court that the Lokpal’s process for approving the CBI was flawed.

Gupta went on to say that the Lokpal explicitly said in issuing the ruling that Motra’s remarks were necessary and that it was solely taking into account the information that the CBI had requested.