The Delhi High Court on Monday reserved its order on a petition filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, seeking quashing of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) FIR in the alleged land-for-jobs scam.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja reserved the verdict after hearing detailed arguments from senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Yadav, and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju, appearing for the CBI.
Yadav’s petition challenges the FIR registered by the CBI in connection with the land-for-jobs case, as well as three chargesheets filed subsequently in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He has also sought to quash the orders by trial courts taking cognisance of these chargesheets.
The plea contends that the case is politically motivated and that there is no prima facie material warranting prosecution.
The CBI alleges that during Yadav’s tenure as railway minister between 2004 and 2009, several candidates were appointed to Group D positions in the Indian Railways in exchange for land parcels transferred to his family members at throwaway prices or through benami transactions.
The agency has filed multiple chargesheets in the case, naming Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and other family members as accused. They are facing charges under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
During the hearing, Kapil Sibal argued that the FIR and the subsequent proceedings were vitiated due to procedural irregularities and lack of substantive evidence. He also questioned the long delay in registration of the FIR, claiming the alleged events occurred nearly two decades ago.
ASG Raju opposed the plea, stating that the investigation had uncovered a clear pattern of quid pro quo, and sufficient material exists for prosecution. He maintained that the delay in initiating the case was justified due to the complexity of the transactions and the concealment of key facts by the accused.
After hearing both sides, Justice Dudeja reserved the order, which is expected to have significant ramifications for the ongoing prosecution in the land-for-jobs matter.
