Delhi High Court Extends Lokpal Deadline in Mahua Moitra Cash-for-Query Case
The Delhi High Court has granted the Lokpal, India's anti-corruption ombudsman, an additional two months to decide whether to grant sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a chargesheet against Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra. This development comes in relation to the high-profile cash-for-query matter that has been under judicial scrutiny.
Court Proceedings and Extension Details
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar approved the extension on Friday, January 24, 2026. The bench acted upon a formal request submitted by the Lokpal, with no objection raised by Mahua Moitra's legal team. This procedural move allows the Lokpal more time to deliberate on the critical issue of granting prosecution sanction to the CBI.
This latest order follows a previous ruling by the same bench on December 19, 2025, where the court had initially granted the Lokpal a one-month period to make this determination. In that December order, the High Court had set aside an earlier November 2025 decision by the Lokpal that had authorized the CBI to proceed with filing a chargesheet against Moitra.
Judicial Scrutiny of Lokpal's Previous Actions
The December 2025 judgment was particularly significant as it contained strong judicial observations regarding the Lokpal's conduct. The bench explicitly recorded that the anti-graft body had followed "extraneous and impermissible procedures" while granting sanction to the CBI. Furthermore, the court noted that the Lokpal had exceeded its jurisdictional boundaries in its earlier decision-making process.
These judicial findings have added considerable complexity to the case, necessitating more careful consideration by the Lokpal in its renewed examination of the sanction request. The extension period will enable the ombudsman to address the procedural deficiencies highlighted by the High Court while reconsidering the merits of the CBI's request for prosecution sanction.
Background of the Cash-for-Query Allegations
The case revolves around allegations that Mahua Moitra, a prominent TMC parliamentarian, was involved in a cash-for-query scandal. The CBI has been investigating claims that the MP allegedly accepted financial inducements in exchange for raising specific questions in Parliament. This matter has attracted substantial political and public attention since the allegations first surfaced.
The legal proceedings have seen multiple twists, with the High Court's intervention becoming necessary after concerns were raised about the propriety of the Lokpal's initial sanction grant. The requirement for Lokpal sanction stems from legal provisions that mandate such approval before investigative agencies can prosecute public officials in certain corruption cases.
Implications and Next Steps
The two-month extension provides all parties involved with additional time to prepare their respective positions. For the Lokpal, this period represents an opportunity to conduct a thorough re-evaluation that complies with the High Court's directives regarding proper procedure and jurisdictional limits.
For Mahua Moitra, the extension maintains the status quo while the legal process continues. Her legal team's decision not to object to the Lokpal's request for more time suggests a strategic approach to the ongoing proceedings.
The Delhi High Court has scheduled further hearings in the matter, though specific dates have not been announced publicly. Legal observers anticipate that the Lokpal's decision, once rendered, will likely be subject to additional judicial review given the complex legal questions involved and the high-profile nature of the case.
