New Delhi, 4 December (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Thursday once again deferred its decision on framing charges against the accused in the CBI-registered Land-for-Jobs case, scheduling the verdict for December 8. Special Judge Vishal Gogne reserved the order after hearing arguments, marking the second postponement following a similar deferral on November 10.
The court had initially reserved its judgment on framing charges on August 25.Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav did not appear in court on Thursday. Their counsel, Maninder Singh, sought exemption from personal appearance, which the court granted. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Lalu Yadav, argued that the prosecution lacks the necessary sanction, rendering the entire investigation illegal.
Proceedings cannot commence without requisite permission, making the entire process flawed, Sibal contended.The CBI counsel countered that Lalu Yadav was deliberately avoiding arguments on framing charges in the trial court. The court clarified that sanction requirements apply only to Prevention of Corruption Act cases, not those under the Indian Penal Code.
The Supreme Court had rejected a plea to stay trial court proceedings on July 18.Lalu Yadav has approached the Delhi High Court seeking quashing of the CBI FIR and a stay on trial proceedings, with a hearing scheduled for September 25. The CBI filed its initial chargesheet on October 7, 2022, naming 16 accused including Lalu, Rabri Devi, and Misa Bharti.
A supplementary chargesheet on June 7, 2024, added 78 accused, including 38 candidates who allegedly secured railway jobs in exchange for land transfers.The trial court took cognizance of the initial chargesheet on February 25, prolonging the legal battle in this high-profile corruption case dating back to Lalu Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
