May 29, 2025: RJD chief and former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has approached the Delhi High Court seeking the quashing of the CBI FIR filed against him in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs corruption case.
Yadav, represented by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, contended that the CBI initiated the probe without obtaining the mandatory sanction as required under the law. According to his counsel, the Supreme Court mandates prior approval for inquiry, which was not secured in his case, even though it was obtained for others involved.
The plea comes ahead of the scheduled commencement of charge framing in the trial court on June 2, with Sibal urging the High Court to pass an interim order to adjourn proceedings in the lower court until Yadav’s petition is decided.
The CBI opposed the petition, arguing that it is not maintainable. The agency maintained that no sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was required in this case. It further added that while sanction under Section 19 was mandatory, it had already been acquired.
Additionally, the CBI pointed out that the legal issue regarding the necessity of sanctions is already under consideration by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, implying that the High Court should refrain from intervention at this stage.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja, after hearing detailed arguments from both sides, reserved the order, stating it would be passed later in the day.
Background of the Case
The land-for-jobs scam pertains to the period when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as Railway Minister. The CBI and ED allege that Yadav granted railway jobs to several individuals in exchange for land parcels either gifted or sold at heavily discounted rates to him and his family members. Multiple FIRs and chargesheets have been filed in the case, implicating several family members and associates.