New Delhi/Patna: The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition filed by former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad seeking to quash a CBI case linked to the alleged “land-for-jobs” scam, dealing a setback to the former Bihar chief minister.
The court, in its order on Tuesday, said it found no merit in the petition and declined to interfere with the proceedings. Justice Ravinder Dudeja rejected the plea, which had sought to set aside the FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the three charge sheets filed in the case.
The petition also challenged the trial court’s decision to take cognisance of the charge sheets, but the high court refused to grant relief.
The development follows a recent setback for Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi in a Delhi trial court. The Rouse Avenue court had dismissed their request for access to more than 1,600 documents, observing that the plea appeared to be an attempt to delay the trial process.
The case relates to the period between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad was serving as the Union railway minister. Investigators have alleged that appointments to Group D posts in the railways were made in violation of norms, in exchange for land parcels that were allegedly transferred to members of his family and associates.
The CBI has named Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and several family members among the accused and has filed charge sheets in the case. The Enforcement Directorate is also conducting a parallel investigation into alleged money laundering linked to the matter.
The high court’s decision clears the way for trial proceedings to continue.
