The Delhi High Court has given the Lokpal of India a final two-month extension to decide on granting sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a charge sheet against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the alleged cash-for-query row. The Bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar approved the Lokpal’s request for more time, emphasizing that no further extensions would be allowed for the anti-corruption body.
The court extended the period for decision-making by two months, warning that no additional requests for time extensions would be entertained. Stressing the importance of timely action, the Bench directed the Lokpal to strictly adhere to the specified timeline. This decision follows a plea by the Lokpal due to its failure to reach a fresh decision within the earlier set timeframe by the Delhi High Court.
In a previous ruling on December 19, 2025, the Bench set aside the Lokpal’s sanction permitting the CBI to file a charge sheet against Moitra, citing misinterpretation of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 by the anti-corruption watchdog. The Delhi High Court accepted Moitra’s argument that the Lokpal had not adequately considered the statutory requirement of reviewing the comments and material provided by the public servant before granting sanction. The Lokpal was instructed to reconsider the matter within one month.
As the Lokpal did not reach a decision within the stipulated period, it sought an extension of time from the Delhi High Court. The case originated from allegations made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, accusing Moitra of receiving cash and luxury gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising issues in Parliament.
