In a major jolt to Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, seeking to quash a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) First Information Report (FIR) in the alleged land-for-jobs case, ruling that the petition was “devoid of merit.”
Justice Ravinder Dudeja, who issued the ruling, permitted the CBI to continue its probe, along with all associated legal proceedings.
Lalu, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, had contested the FIR lodged on May 18, 2022, along with three subsequent charge sheets filed between 2022 and 2024. The plea also challenged the court's orders by which it had taken cognisance of the case.
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An argument put forward by Lalu's counsel was that obtaining prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was compulsory before launching an investigation, as the alleged actions took place during his tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009 and were carried out in the course of his official duties.
However, opposing this claim, Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju argued that such protection did not apply in this case. He maintained that appointments in the railways were made by general managers, not directly by the minister.
Accepting the CBI's position, the High Court found no legal grounds to interfere at this stage and rejected all arguments presented by Lalu.
The case relates to alleged irregular appointments to Group D posts in the West Central Zone of the Indian Railways, headquartered in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
According to the CBI, jobs were allegedly given in exchange for land parcels transferred to Lalu's family members and associates. The FIR names several accused, including Lalu's wife Rabri Devi, two daughters, unidentified public officials, and private individuals.
Lalu also cited a delay of nearly 14 years in the registration of the FIR, asserting that earlier inquiries into the matter had already been closed.
He contended that reopening the case without making those reports public constituted a misuse of the legal process, and further alleged that the investigation was driven by political motives.
The High Court, however, rejected these arguments, observing that the plea was devoid of merit, and thus allowed the investigation to proceed.
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