New Delhi, 13 March (H.S.):

The Supreme Court stayed the Lokpal investigation into Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra over allegations of accepting cash for parliamentary questions. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued notices to Moitra and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.

The Lokpal filed the plea challenging Delhi High Court orders, seeking clarification on Section 20 provisions of the Lokpal Act.

On December 19, 2025, the High Court quashed Lokpal's sanction for CBI chargesheet, mandating prior approval consideration. Lokpal's full bench had ordered chargesheet filing within four weeks on November 12, 2025 under Sections 20(7)(A) and 23(1). Moitra contested it as violating natural justice, denied hearing opportunity.

CBI submitted its report to Lokpal in July, following FIR on March 21, 2024 against Moitra and businessman Hiranandani under Prevention of Corruption Act—alleging she took bribes to target Adani and shared login credentials.

Moitra, Krishna Nagar MP, was expelled from Lok Sabha December 8, 2023 after Ethics Committee upheld cash-for-query charges. Balyan arrested December 4, 2024 post-extortion bail, tied to 2023 audio with UK-based gangster Kapil Sangwan.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar