Cash-for-query case: Supreme Court notice to Mahua Moitra on Lokpal of India plea; stays Delhi High Court order
The apex court also issued notice to BJP MP and complainant Nishikant Dubey and set aside the Delhi High Court order granting relief to Moitra and sanctioning the CBI to file charges against her in connection with cash in exchange for interrogation.
Also Read: Delhi HC quashes Lokpal order against Mahua Moitra
The case arises out of a petition filed by the Lokpal against the Delhi High Court’s decision that separate sanctions for filing criminal complaints and initiating prosecutions are not provided for in the Lokpal and Lok Ayuktas Act, 2013.
The Supreme Court’s decision came while hearing the Lokpal’s appeal against the Supreme Court order.
The Lokpal argued that the Supreme Court’s interpretation could affect the procedure adopted by it in sanctioning investigative agencies like the CBI in corruption-related matters involving public servants.
The matter is part of ongoing litigation arising from allegations in the cash-for-interrogation dispute involving Moitra.Also Read: Lokpal takes more time to decide sanction to file chargesheet against Mahua Moitra
What is the cash payment situation in exchange for inquiries?
Nishikant Dubey, a Lok Sabha member from Godda constituency in Jharkhand, had accused opposition TMC MP Mahua Moitra of asking questions in parliament in return for bribes.
Dubey alleged that Moitra asked several questions in Parliament targeting the Adani Group, owned by Gautam Adani, one of Asia’s richest men, and in return received gifts and cash from a businessman.
Moitra denied the allegations and said she was ready to face any investigation.
Dubey wrote a letter to the speaker of the lower house of parliament, quoting information he said he received from lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai.
Dubey alleged that Dehadrai shared “undeniable evidence of bribery exchange” between Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who allegedly raised questions targeting Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
