The Supreme Court of India on Friday stayed a portion of a December 2025 order passed by the Delhi High Court, which had allowed the Lokpal of India to consider granting sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a chargesheet against Mahua Moitra, a Member of Parliament from the All India Trinamool Congress, in the alleged cash-for-query scam.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to Moitra, the CBI, and Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP and complainant in the case, on a plea filed by the Lokpal challenging the high court’s order.
High Court Order Challenged
On December 19, 2025, the Delhi High Court had set aside an earlier order of the Lokpal that granted sanction to the CBI to file a chargesheet against Moitra in the alleged scam.
In its judgment, the high court had directed the Lokpal to reconsider the matter. In paragraph 89 of the ruling, it stated that the Lokpal should examine the issue of sanction under Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, specifically under Section 20, within one month.
The Supreme Court bench has now stayed the implementation of this part of the high court’s order while issuing notices in a batch of petitions concerning the powers and procedures under Section 20 of the Act.
Background of the Case
The alleged cash-for-query case involves accusations that Mahua Moitra raised questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from a businessman.
The Delhi High Court verdict had come on a petition filed by Moitra challenging the Lokpal’s November 12, 2025 order granting sanction to the CBI to file a chargesheet against her.
Following the high court’s decision to set aside its order, the Lokpal approached the Supreme Court seeking relief.
