New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad has suffered a setback in the ongoing Land-for-Job scam case, as the Supreme Court today rejected his petition seeking a stay on the proceedings of the lower court. The apex court refused to interfere with an earlier order by the Delhi High Court.
However, the Supreme Court did offer a partial reprieve to the veteran politician by exempting him from appearing in the lower court proceedings. Crucially, the Supreme Court has directed the Delhi High Court to expedite the hearing of the case.
Lalu had approached the Supreme Court to halt the trial court’s proceedings in the case. His petition, seeking a stay, was heard by a bench comprising Justice SM Sundaresh and Justice N Kotishwar Singh.
Prior to this, a similar request from Lalu had been rejected by the Delhi High Court. The High Court had stated that there was no “concrete reason” to stay the proceedings. The High Court had issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and adjourned its hearing to August 12.
The Land-for-Job scam case involves allegations that appointments were made in the Indian Railways in exchange for land parcels during Lalu’s tenure as Union Railway Minister. The CBI has been investigating the matter, which also involves other members of his family. The Supreme Court’s latest directive signals a push for a quicker resolution of the case.
