New Delhi, 10 December (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Wednesday postponed the hearing on framing charges in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s Land-for-Jobs case against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family, and others.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne directed that the matter be taken up for hearing on December 11.The court deferred the proceedings after the CBI sought additional time to file a status report regarding some of the accused who have passed away.

Earlier on December 8, the agency had informed the court about the demise of a few accused persons, following which the court instructed the CBI to verify the details and submit a formal status report.This is the third time the court has postponed its decision on framing charges, having earlier deferred it on November 10 and December 4 due to procedural reasons.

The court had initially reserved its order on August 25.

Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad Yadav has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking to quash the CBI’s FIR and stay the ongoing trial proceedings. Co-accused and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi has also moved a transfer plea before the Principal District and Sessions Judge, requesting that the matter be shifted from Judge Vishal Gogne’s court.The transfer petition remains pending.

During an earlier hearing in the Delhi High Court, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Yadav, argued that the prosecution was invalid as the CBI had failed to obtain mandatory sanction before initiating the investigation. “Without the requisite approval, the entire probe is illegal,” Sibal submitted, terming the trial proceedings flawed.

Countering the claim, the CBI’s counsel contended that Yadav was deliberately delaying the framing of charges before the trial court. On July 18, the High Court had refused to stay the trial court proceedings.The CBI had filed its first charge sheet in the case on October 7, 2022, naming Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and their daughter Misa Bharti among 16 accused.

The trial court took cognizance of the charge sheet on February 25, 2023. Subsequently, on June 7, 2024, the agency submitted its final charge sheet naming 78 accused persons, including 38 individuals alleged to have secured railway jobs in exchange for land parcels.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar