Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 24: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking to quash the corruption case registered against him in the alleged land-for-jobs scam.

A single-judge bench headed by Justice Ravinder Dudeja declined to interfere with the FIR, charge sheets, and cognisance orders issued by the trial court, stating that the plea lacked merit.

Yadav had argued that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated the probe without obtaining mandatory prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, rendering the entire investigation invalid.

However, the High Court rejected this contention, allowing the case to proceed. The ruling follows an earlier refusal by the High Court to stay trial proceedings—an order that was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of India. The apex court had directed that the trial may continue while the quashing plea was being decided.

The case relates to allegations that appointments in the Indian Railways were granted in exchange for land parcels transferred to Yadav’s family members and associates during his tenure as Railway Minister.

The CBI registered the case in May 2022, naming several accused, including Yadav’s wife Rabri Devi and other family members, along with unidentified public servants. Multiple charge sheets have since been filed under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Earlier this year, a trial court observed that a prima facie case of corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy was made out against Yadav and others while ordering the framing of charges.

In a related matter, the Delhi High Court is also examining another plea filed by Yadav challenging the trial court’s decision to frame charges in the same case.