The Aryavarth Express New Delhi, India:The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking to quash the CBI FIR in the alleged land-for-jobs case, calling the petition “devoid of merit.”
The order was passed by Justice Ravinder Dudeja, who rejected Yadav’s challenge to the FIR registered in 2022, as well as three chargesheets filed in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The plea had also contested the court orders taking cognisance of the case.
Yadav had argued that the proceedings were legally invalid due to the absence of prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Representing him, senior advocate Kapil Sibal contended that the alleged actions took place during Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister and were part of his official duties, making prior approval mandatory before any investigation.
Opposing the plea, Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju, appearing for the CBI, argued that such sanction was not required. He stated that appointments were made by general managers and not directly by the minister, placing the matter outside the scope of Section 17A protection.
The case pertains to alleged irregular appointments to Group D posts in the West Central Zone of the Indian Railways, headquartered in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure between 2004 and 2009. According to the CBI, jobs were allegedly granted in exchange for land parcels transferred to Yadav’s family members and associates.
The FIR, registered on May 18, 2022, names Yadav along with his wife, two daughters, unidentified public servants, and private individuals.
In his petition,Lalu Prasad Yadav also cited a significant delay, noting that the FIR was filed nearly 14 years after the alleged events, despite earlier enquiries being closed. He alleged that reopening the case without disclosing previous closure reports amounted to misuse of legal process and claimed the investigation was politically motivated.
However, the High Court rejected all arguments, allowing the investigation and legal proceedings in the case to continue.
