Cash For Query Row: Delhi High Court Grants Two Months' Time To Lokpal For Deciding Sanction Against Mahua Moitra

The Delhi High Court has allowed an application filed by Lokpal of India 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.

A division bench comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar granted two months' time to Lokpal and clarified that no further time shall be granted.

“The period of disposal is extended by two months, while observing that no further request for further extension of time shall be entertained," the Court said.

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.

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