Supreme Court Stalls Lokpal's Sanction in Cash-for-Query Case

The Supreme Court stayed part of a Delhi High Court order that allowed Lokpal to grant sanction to the CBI to charge Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a cash-for-query scam. Notices were issued to Moitra, CBI, and Nishikant Dubey. The case involves allegations of Moitra receiving benefits for asking questions in Parliament.

The Supreme Court has intervened, halting a section of the Delhi High Court's December 2025 ruling that permitted the Lokpal to authorize the CBI to proceed with charges against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in connection with a cash-for-query scandal. A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, has issued notices to Moitra, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Nishikant Dubey, a BJP MP and the complainant in the case, following a plea from the Lokpal against the high court decision.

The Delhi High Court, on December 19, 2025, rescinded an earlier Lokpal order that had granted the CBI permission to file a chargesheet against Moitra. High Court Judge, in paragraph 89 of the judgment, advised the Lokpal to reconsider the sanction under Section 20 of the Lokpal Act, aligning with the provisions outlined in the judgment, within one month.

The alleged cash-for-query case accuses Moitra of accepting money and gifts from a businessman for raising specific queries in the Lok Sabha. Moitra's appeal against a November 12, 2025 Lokpal decision led to the high court's ruling, which has now prompted the Lokpal's move to the Supreme Court after its order was overturned.

(With inputs from agencies.)