New Delhi, January 19, 2026: The Anti-Corruption Ombudsman Lokpal has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking an extension of two more months to take a fresh decision on granting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sanction to file a charge sheet against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra. The case pertains to allegations that Moitra accepted money and other favours in exchange for raising questions in Parliament.

Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December 2023 following the recommendation of the ethics panel, which found that she had allegedly allowed Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani to post questions on the Lok Sabha portal using her official ID. She is also accused of receiving expensive gifts and funding for foreign trips in return. Hiranandani has reportedly corroborated the allegations, while Moitra, who was re-elected in 2024, has consistently denied the charges.

Background of the Case

In October 2023, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had written to then Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, highlighting a complaint by lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai against Moitra for allegedly accepting money and favours to ask questions in Parliament. In the same month, Dubey approached the Lokpal regarding the so-called “cash-for-query” allegations.

Following an investigation, the Lokpal directed the CBI in March 2025 to probe the matter, noting that prima facie evidence existed warranting further scrutiny. The CBI was asked to complete investigations within six months and submit a report to the Lokpal, which the agency did.

High Court Intervention

The matter faced renewed judicial scrutiny after the Delhi High Court, on December 19, 2025, set aside the Lokpal’s November 12, 2025 decision granting sanction to the CBI to file a charge sheet. The court observed that the procedure adopted by the Lokpal amounted to statutory ingenuity or re-engineering of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which was inconsistent with the scheme of the statute. It directed the Lokpal to reconsider the issue afresh and take a decision in accordance with the Act within one month.

Following this, the Lokpal has now sought additional time, citing the winter holidays in the intervening period.

Court Proceedings on January 19

A bench of justices Vivek Chaudhary and Renu Bhatnagar noted that granting an extension would effectively modify the earlier directions issued by the High Court. They therefore referred the matter to the original bench of justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, which had passed the December 19 order. The matter has been listed for hearing on January 23, 2026.

Allegations Against Moitra

• Unauthorized use of official ID: Moitra allegedly gave her Lok Sabha ID to Hiranandani to submit parliamentary questions on her behalf.
• Cash-for-query: She is accused of accepting money, gifts, and funded trips abroad in exchange for asking questions.
• CBI investigation: The agency reportedly found sufficient prima facie evidence and submitted its findings to the Lokpal.

Political and Legal Context

The case has significant political implications as Moitra is a prominent TMC parliamentarian. Her expulsion from the Lok Sabha in 2023 and the ongoing investigation have kept the matter in public attention. The court’s focus on procedural propriety underscores the importance of strictly adhering to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, in sanctioning criminal proceedings against elected representatives.

The Lokpal’s request for an extension reflects the need for careful reconsideration before sanctioning the filing of a charge sheet, given the complexity of the evidence and legal nuances involved.

The next hearing on January 23 will determine whether the Lokpal can be granted additional time to decide on the CBI’s request, or if the court will impose a firm deadline for its decision.

This case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability and ethical conduct of parliamentarians, and the critical role of the Lokpal in ensuring that allegations of corruption are investigated thoroughly and in accordance with statutory procedures.