New Delhi, 19 December (H.S.): In a major relief for Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, the Delhi High Court on Friday set aside the Lokpal’s order that had granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) permission to file a chargesheet against her in the “cash-for-query” case.

The order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Anil Kshetrapal.The High Court observed that before allowing the CBI to file a chargesheet, the Lokpal was required to examine the issue of prior sanction. The court delivered its judgment after reserving its decision on November 21.

Earlier, on November 12, a full bench of the Lokpal had directed the CBI to file a chargesheet within four weeks against Mahua Moitra under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, invoking Sections 20(7)(A) and 23(1) of the Act.

Moitra, in her petition before the High Court, had challenged this Lokpal order, arguing that it violated the principles of natural justice as she was not given an adequate opportunity to present her case before the decision was made.

According to case records, the CBI had submitted its report to the Lokpal in July 2024, following which the Lokpal issued directions for filing a chargesheet. In March 2024, the CBI registered an FIR against Mahua Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani under the Prevention of Corruption Act, alleging that Moitra accepted gifts and favours from Hiranandani in exchange for raising questions in Parliament related to the Adani Group.

She was also accused of sharing her parliamentary login credentials with Hiranandani.

Mahua Moitra, who represents the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency of West Bengal, had her parliamentary membership revoked on December 8, 2023, after the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee found her guilty of accepting bribes for parliamentary questions and recommended her expulsion from the House.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar