NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on a petition filed by the Lokpal of India challenging the Delhi High Court judgment that had set aside the sanction granted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a charge sheet against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the alleged cash-for-query row.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought responses within three weeks from Moitra, the CBI, and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who has accused Moitra of accepting cash and luxury gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising questions in Parliament.
During the hearing, the CJI Kant-led Bench also stayed the Delhi High Court’s direction asking the Lokpal to decide within 60 days whether to grant sanction to the CBI to file a charge sheet against Moitra.
The apex court clarified that, for the time being, the Lokpal cannot direct the CBI to file a charge sheet against the Trinamool leader and that no coercive action would be taken against her in the matter.