Supreme Court stays Delhi HC directive on Lokpal sanction for CBI chargesheet against Mahua Moitra

The Supreme Court of India on Friday stayed a portion of a December 2025 order of the Delhi High Court concerning sanction for prosecution in the alleged cash-for-query case involving Mahua Moitra. The order had allowed the Lokpal of India to consider granting approval to the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a chargesheet against the Trinamool Congress MP.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to Moitra, the CBI and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who is the complainant in the matter. The court stayed paragraph 89 of the High Court’s judgment while hearing petitions related to the interpretation and procedure under Section 20 of the Lokpal Act.

In its December 19, 2025 judgment, the Delhi High Court had set aside an earlier order of the Lokpal that had granted sanction to the CBI to file a chargesheet against Moitra. The High Court had also asked the Lokpal to reconsider the matter and decide on granting sanction under Section 20 of the Lokpal Act within a specified time frame.

The case stems from allegations that Moitra asked questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from a businessman. Moitra had challenged the Lokpal’s November 12, 2025 order that allowed the CBI to proceed with filing a chargesheet against her in connection with the alleged scam.

After the High Court set aside the Lokpal’s order, the Lokpal moved the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the interpretation of the provisions under the Lokpal Act. The apex court has now stayed the relevant portion of the High Court order and issued notices to the parties while the matter remains under consideration.