New Delhi, December 11 (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on framing of charges in the CBI’s FIR related to the Land-for-Job case. Special Judge Vishal Gogne directed that the matter be taken up again on December 15.

The court instructed the CBI to file a detailed verification report regarding all the accused. On December 8, the court was informed that some of the accused in the case had passed away. The court then directed the CBI to verify these deaths and submit a status report.

This is the third time the court has deferred the decision on framing of charges—earlier on November 10 and December 4, the proceedings were postponed for various reasons. The court had reserved its order on framing of charges on August 25.

Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad Yadav has approached the Delhi High Court seeking quashing of the CBI FIR and a stay on trial court proceedings. Co-accused Rabri Devi has filed a petition before the Principal and District Judge seeking transfer of the case from Judge Vishal Gogne's court; the petition is still pending.

During the High Court hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Lalu Yadav, argued that the prosecution did not obtain the mandatory sanction required to initiate proceedings. He claimed the entire investigation was illegal without such approval. The CBI’s counsel countered that Lalu Yadav was deliberately avoiding arguments in the trial court on framing of charges.

Earlier, on July 18, the Supreme Court had refused to stay the trial court proceedings.

The CBI filed its first chargesheet on October 7, 2022, naming Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti and 16 others. The trial court took cognizance of the chargesheet on February 25. On June 7, 2024, the agency filed its final chargesheet, naming 78 accused, including 38 candidates who allegedly secured railway jobs through the scheme.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar