New Delhi: Anti-corruption watchdog Lokpal has granted sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a chargesheet within four weeks against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in the alleged ‘cash-for-query’ corruption case.
Lokpal’s nod to the CBI has come after it held its full bench meeting on November 12 and took the decision to give the green signal to the central investigating agency. The Lokpal on Saturday also asked the agency to submit a copy of the chargesheet to it.
Mahua Moitra’s name had first surfaced in the cash-for-query case in 2023. The CBI, acting on Lokpal’s directions in November that year, initiated a preliminary enquiry and submitted its findings to the watchdog.
Mahua Moitra represents West Bengal’s Krishnanagar constituency in the Lok Sabha.
The ‘cash‑for‑query’ case involving Mahua Moitra refers to allegations that the TMC MP accepted bribes and favours from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising specific questions in Parliament against certain industrial groups. The controversy led to her expulsion from the Lok Sabha in December 2023 and subsequent CBI investigation, which now has Lokpal’s sanction to file a chargesheet.
In March 2024, the CBI registered a case against Mahua Moitra, Darshan Hiranandani, and unknown others under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act (7, 8 and 12) and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The agency also carried out searches at premises linked to Mahua Moitra.
Though disqualified in December 2023, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) once again fielded Mahua Moitra from the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency, which she won by defeating BJP’s Amrita Roy with a margin of over 56,000 votes.
Granting its nod to the CBI to file the chargesheet, the Lokpal stated, “Accordingly, in exercise of powers under Section 20(7)(a) read with Section 23(1) of the Act of 2013, we accord sanction to the Investigating Agency (CBI) to file a chargesheet before the court of competent jurisdiction against the named RPS and others (DHN), within four weeks from today, and submit a copy of the same along with the documents filed therewith in the Registry of the Lokpal, for being considered further.”
The Lokpal further clarified, “To make it amply clear, we will be considering the second prayer about allowing the investigating agency to initiate prosecution against RPS for concerned offences in terms of Section 20(8) of the Act of 2013 only after the chargesheet is filed in the competent court — so as to enable the court of competent jurisdiction to take cognizance of the offences allegedly committed by RPS, pursuant to the order passed by the Lokpal on the subject complaint in that regard.”
In August 2025, TMC MP Mahua Moitra had moved the Delhi High Court alleging a media leak regarding the CBI’s report filed before the Lokpal in the alleged cash-for-query scam.
The court observed that strict confidentiality should be maintained by all concerned parties.
Moitra’s counsel argued that as soon as the report was filed, the fact was made known to the media. He contended that the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, along with related circulars, should be strictly complied with.
The court disposed of the petition, stating, “I will make it clear that strict confidentiality should be maintained.”
