Delhi HC Refuses to Block CBI's Chargesheet Against Mahua Moitra in Cash-for-Query Case
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The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to prevent the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from filing a chargesheet against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a high-profile cash-for-query case. Moitra's counsel had requested the court to restrain the CBI, citing procedural irregularities in the Lokpal's November 12 order granting the agency permission to file the chargesheet. According to the order, the Lokpal directed the CBI to submit a chargesheet within four weeks, with a copy to be shared with the body. However, the court emphasized that its verdict was still pending and that all reliefs would be based on the final judgment. Moitra's counsel, Nidhesh Gupta, argued that the Lokpal had disregarded the framework of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, by failing to consider Moitra's defense in the case. Gupta claimed that the Lokpal had stated it would only consider the material provided by the CBI, without considering Moitra's comments. The CBI, represented by additional solicitor general SV Raju, opposed the petition, labeling it 'frivolous.' Raju argued that the Lokpal had complied with Section 20(7)(a) of the Act, which requires the body to consider the views of both the competent authority and the public servant before granting sanction to file a chargesheet. Moitra is accused of giving access to her official MP ID to a Dubai-based businessman and receiving expensive gifts and funding for trips abroad. While the businessman has corroborated the charges, Moitra has denied the allegations, claiming she had shared her password with other parliamentarians. The Lokpal had ordered the CBI to file a FIR against Moitra in March last year, following a complaint by lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai. The CBI had since completed its investigation and submitted a report to the Lokpal. Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December 2023, but retained her seat in the 18th Lok Sabha after winning the 2024 general elections.
