In a recent turn of events, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has assured prompt consideration of Mahua Moitra's plea challenging her expulsion from the Lok Sabha by its Ethics Committee. This move comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged "cash-for-query" scandal. Responding to Senior Advocate AM Singhvi's urgent listing request, the CJI urged, "Please send an email, I will look at it right away." Justice SK Kaul had initially deferred the matter, indicating that the final decision rests with the CJI.

The expulsion of Mahua Moitra took place on December 8, 2023, following a report from the Ethics Committee chaired by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar. The committee proposed Moitra's removal in connection with the "cash-for-query" case, gaining approval through a 6-4 vote. Congress MP Praneet Kaur supported the report, while four opposition MPs dissented.

The report implicates Moitra in "unethical conduct" and "contempt of the House" for allegedly sharing her Lok Sabha log-in credentials without authorization. The committee deems this action a "serious misdemeanor" and recommends "severe punishment." It suggests an "intense, legal, and institutional inquiry by the Government of India (GOI)" into Moitra's conduct, which it describes as "highly objectionable, unethical, heinous, and criminal."

Moitra appeared before the ethics panel on November 2, adhering to the scheduled date for her appearance with no possibility of further extension. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has accused her of accepting money and gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for posing questions in Parliament. Dubey's allegations, supported by purported 'evidence' from Moitra's estranged friend Jai Anant Dehadrai, led to the filing of an official complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Moitra, however, has taken legal action by filing a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court. The suit seeks directions to restrain BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, as well as various social media platforms and media outlets from disseminating false and defamatory content about her. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan withdrew from representing Moitra after Dehadrai informed the court that he was contacted by Sankaranarayanan to withdraw the complaint against the TMC MP.

In her plea, Moitra requests an order compelling BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Jai Anant Dehadrai to publish a retraction and issue an apology in three English, three Hindi, and three Bengali newspapers for the false and defamatory statements and allegations made against her.