TMC MP Mahua Moitra has got a big relief from the court. Delhi High Court has canceled Lokpal’s approval for CBI charge sheet against Moitra. The High Court has canceled the Lokpal order, in which the CBI was allowed to file a charge sheet against Mahua Moitra in connection with the cash-for-query controversy. The division bench of Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar accepted Moitra’s petition against the approval of the Lokpal.
Delhi High Court has directed the Lokpal to reconsider the matter and take a decision within a month. Let us tell you that TMC MP Mahua Moitra had challenged the order of Lokpal’s approval in the alleged cash-for-query case of 2024 in the Delhi High Court.
Allegation- Questions asked in the House in exchange for cash and gifts
The bench of Justice Anil Kshetrapal and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, while giving its verdict on Moitra’s petition, said, this order is cancelled. We have asked the Lokpal to consider giving approval under Section 20 of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act within a month under the relevant provisions. This case of allegedly asking questions for money is related to the allegation that a TMC MP had asked questions in the House from a businessman in exchange for cash and gifts.
There was a clear flaw in the Lokpal process
On this, Moitra’s lawyer had argued that there was a clear flaw in the process adopted by the Lokpal. He cited Section 20(7) of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act and said that under this it is necessary to take the opinion of public servants before giving approval. CBI had opposed this petition and argued that TMC has no right to present documents in the Lokpal proceedings. They only have the right to comment. There is no right to even oral hearing.
CBI had filed FIR in 2024
In July, the CBI had submitted its report to the Lokpal in the case of allegedly asking questions for money related to TMC MP Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani. On March 21, 2024, the CBI had registered an FIR against both of them under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act on the request of the Lokpal. The investigating agency had alleged that Moitra indulged in corrupt practices by taking bribes and other undue benefits from the businessman.
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