Cash For Query Row: Lokpal Moves Delhi High Court Seeking More Time To Decide Sanction Against Mahua Moitra

The Lokpal of India has moved the Delhi High Court on Monday seeking more time to decide on granting sanction to the CBI, to file chargesheet against Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra in relation to the cash for query row.

For context, the High Court had last year set aside the Lokpal's order granting sanction to the CBI to file chargesheet against her.

It had observed that Lokpal erred in understanding the provisions of the Lokpal Act and had accordingly requested the Lokpal to accord consideration on the aspect of sanction within one month.

Lokpal today sought a further extension of two months to decide the issue.

A division bench led by Justice Vivek Chaudhary however noted that the Lokpal in effect seeks modification of the coordinate bench order, which had set aside the sanction. In such circumstances, it observed that it will be appropriate if the fresh application is listed before the same coordinate bench. Accordingly, the matter is now listed for hearing on January 23.

Mahua is accused of receiving cash in exchange for posing questions on behalf of businessman and friend Darshan Hiranandani.

In an interview with The Indian Express, she had accepted the fact that she had provided her Parliament login and password details to Hiranandani, however, she had refuted the claim of receiving any cash from him.

The dispute arose after Dubey wrote a complaint to the Lok Sabha Speaker alleging that Moitra purportedly took bribes to ask questions in the Parliament. Dubey claimed that the genesis of the said allegations was a letter addressed to him by Dehadrai.

Moitra then sent a legal notice to Dubey, Dehadrai and media houses wherein she denied the allegations made against her.

Tile: MAHUA MOITRA v. LOKPAL OF INDIA & ORS