New Delhi, Jan 23: The Delhi High Court on Friday granted the Lokpal of India a final extension of two months to decide on granting sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a charge sheet against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the alleged cash-for-query row.

A Bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar allowed the application moved by the Lokpal seeking additional time, clarifying that no further extension would be granted to the anti-corruption body.

“The period of disposal is extended by two months, while observing that no further request for extension of time shall be entertained,” the Justice Kshetarpal-led Bench ordered.

Remarking that any further delay in deciding the issue would not be acceptable, it stressed that the Lokpal must strictly follow the stipulated timeline.

The present order came on a plea filed by the Lokpal after it failed to take a fresh decision within the earlier time frame fixed by the Delhi High Court.

In an order passed on December 19, 2025, the Justice Kshetarpal-led Bench set aside the Lokpal’s sanction allowing the CBI to file a charge sheet against Moitra, holding that the anti-corruption watchdog had misinterpreted provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.

Allowing Moitra’s plea against the sanction order, the Delhi High Court accepted her contention that the Lokpal had failed to properly consider the statutory requirement of examining the comments and material submitted by the public servant before granting sanction. It had directed the Lokpal to reconsider the issue afresh within one month.

However, as the Lokpal did not arrive at a decision within the prescribed period, the anti-corruption body approached the Delhi High Court seeking an extension of time.

The case arose from allegations levelled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, who accused Moitra of accepting cash and luxury gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising questions in the Parliament.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration has provided space for displaying temporary advertisements within the municipal limits, some institutions, organizations and traders are illegally putting up banners on electricity poles on both sides of the roads. A case has been registered against such institutions, organizations and traders by the Licensing Department at Gaudevi, Malabar Hill, Dr. DB Marg police stations against an unknown person. This action was taken on two days i.e. on 21st and 22nd January 2026. A total of 41 banners were removed in this action. The Licensing Department of the Municipal Corporation has also appealed to the public to display advertisements only after taking permission from the Municipal Corporation. The Municipal Corporation has also made it clear that strict action will continue against those who put up banners, hoardings and posters in public places without permission.

This action has been taken by the Licensing Department under the guidance of Mrs. Chanda Jadhav, Deputy Commissioner (Special) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. The Licensing Department conducted the operation at Dr. Gopal Rao Deshmukh Marg (Peder Road), Pandita Ramabai Marg, Bholabhai Desai Marg, Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill, Dr. Dadasaheb Bhadkamkar Marg, Maulana Shaukat Ali Marg, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Marg and Raja Ram Mohan Roy Marg of the Municipal Corporation. In addition, First Information Reports (FIRs) regarding the registration of the offence have been registered at three police stations namely Gawadevi, Malabar Hill and Dr. Dadasaheb Bhadkamkar Marg. Accordingly, a case has been registered at the concerned police station. As per the directions of the High Court, it is prohibited to put up any hoarding, banner or poster in public places within the limits of the Municipal Corporation without a permit. It is prohibited to put up any advertisement hoarding, banner or poster on any subject on public roads and footpaths under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation without the prior permission of the Municipal Corporation. Sections 328/328-A, 471 of the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act 1995 and 18 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act provide for legal action against any person or organisation who puts up such hoardings, banners or posters without permission. The Licensing Department has stated that if these provisions are violated, legal action will include registering a case against the person concerned and filing a case in court.

Complaint facility on toll-free number
The Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration has appealed to citizens to contact the toll-free number 1916 to register a complaint against unlicensed and unauthorized hoardings and banners. The facility to register a complaint against unlicensed hoardings is also available on the municipal corporation’s official website www.mcgm.gov.in and on social media @mybmc.

Mumbai: Parts of Mumbai will face a 10 percent water cut from January 27 to February 7, 2026, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation announced on Friday, January 23. The civic body said the reduction in supply is due to annual maintenance work on the pneumatic gate system at Pise in neighbouring Thane district. According to PTI, the maintenance is necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the water distribution system.

The maintenance work is expected to disrupt water supply across a large part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, affecting most civic wards in the island city and eastern suburbs, officials said. Additionally, several areas under the Thane and Bhiwandi municipal corporations that receive their water supply from the BMC are also likely to face interruptions.

Furthermore, the civic body has urged residents in the affected areas to use water judiciously and avoid wastage during the maintenance period.

The BMC has also announced a scheduled water pipeline relocation and repair work in Bhandup West and Mulund West on January 27, 2026. The work is expected to take 24 hours, during which water supply to Bhandup, Mulund and parts of Thane city will remain suspended.

The BMC’s Hydraulic Engineering Department has scheduled the relocation and maintenance work to reconfigure key water infrastructure in the eastern suburbs. Under the project, 12 existing water connections linked to the 2,400 mm Vaitarna main pipeline at Mulund West will be shifted and integrated with the larger 2,750 mm Upper Vaitarna main pipeline. In addition, the civic body will carry out protective measures, including the installation of iron covers on sections of the 2,400 mm Vaitarna pipeline in the Khindipada area of Bhandup West, to strengthen the system and ensure operational safety.