The daughters of Tzelophchad came seeking a share in the Land of Israel. Their father had no sons, so they approached Moshe and asked that their father’s portion be given to them. Moshe asked Hashem and the law was transmitted that a man’s daughters will inherit him if he has no sons.
The Gemara discusses who they actually approached. The Torah says they came to Moshe, Elazar, the princes, and the Sanhedrin.
One opinion in the Gemara says they started with the Sanhedrin and worked their way up to Moshe, and the other says that all of them were in the Bais Midrash together.
Upon hearing their claims, Moshe recused himself, fearing that he might be swayed by gratitude from the fact that their father had not been part of the Korachite rebellion. Perhaps, then, we can infer another reason the sisters approached Moshe in front of all.
They wished to avoid any claims of impropriety and “back-room dealing” that might have happened if they simply went to Moshe alone. Perhaps people could have claimed he gave them a portion they didn’t deserve because he felt indebted. Therefore, they asked publicly, to ensure no one would suspect any wrongdoing.
