Land-for-Jobs Scam: “You Can’t Bulldoze a Court,” CBI Opposes Rabri Devi’s Plea to Transfer Cases From Judge

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday, 13 December, opposed a plea filed by former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi seeking the transfer of criminal cases pending against her and members of her family in the land-for-jobs scam from Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts to any other judge.

Rabri Devi has sought transfer of the cases on the ground of alleged bias on the part of Special Judge Vishal Gogne.

The plea was heard by Principal District and Sessions Judge Dinesh Bhatt, before whom senior advocate D.P. Singh, appearing for the CBI, strongly objected to the request for transfer.

Opposing the plea, Singh argued that the application amounted to an attempt at forum shopping and interference with the judicial process. “You can’t bulldoze a Court..You can’t demean a judge,” Singh submitted, contending that the plea was misconceived and untenable in law.

Previously, in a detailed reply filed in the instant case, the CBI had described the transfer application as a “mala fide attempt” aimed at undermining the authority of the Court.

The agency alleged that the plea was intended not only to scandalise the Court but also to browbeat the Special Judge and cause direct interference with the independent and fair administration of justice. It further pointed out that the allegation of bias was raised only after extensive arguments on the charge had been heard over several months, charges were framed, and the trial had progressed to the stage of recording evidence, adding that this timing clearly indicated an attempt to derail the proceedings.

The Court has listed the matter for further hearing, with arguments set to continue on December 15.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has charge-sheeted Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others, alleging that jobs in the Indian Railways were given in exchange for land parcels transferred to the family during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister.

The Court had earlier reserved its order on September 11 after hearing extensive arguments from both sides. Appearing for the CBI, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) D.P. Singh had contended that sufficient material existed to frame charges against all accused, asserting that the evidence demonstrated a clear quid pro quo involving recruitment in the Railways.

Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing Lalu Prasad Yadav had countered the allegations, calling the case “politically motivated.” He argued that there was no evidence of any land being transferred in exchange for government jobs. “There are registered sale deeds that show land was purchased for monetary consideration,” he submitted, adding that no recruitment rule was violated and no favour was extended by the former minister.

He had further pointed out that no General Manager or official from the Railways had stated that they were influenced or directed by Lalu Prasad in any recruitment decisions. “Merely calling him a kingpin is not sufficient. There is no evidence against him,” Singh had told the Court. On behalf of Rabri Devi, counsel had argued that she had purchased land legally by paying due consideration, and such transactions were independent and unconnected to any alleged recruitment favours.

In a related news, on July 18, the Apex Court had refused a plea by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav against an order refusing to stay the trial court's proceedings against him in relation to the land for jobs scam. The Bench had said that it would not interfere for such a small matter and let the High Court decide the main issue of quashing the chargesheet.

The Delhi High Court had in May dismissed a plea filed by the former Union Railway Minister seeking quashing of the FIR, chargesheets and the cognisance taken by the trial court in connection with the land-for-job scam being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In 2023 a Delhi court had granted bail to Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi in relation to a fresh CBI chargesheet in alleged land-for-job scam case. Special Judge Geetanjali Goel of the Rouse Avenue Court had granted relief to the accused persons after they appeared before the court in pursuance of summons issued against them. In July 2023, CBI had filed a chargesheet against Lalu, his wife and their son in connection with the alleged scam. It was the second chargesheet filed by CBI in the case. Besides the three members of the Yadav family, the federal agency had also named 14 individuals and entities in the chargesheet.

Case Title: CBI v. Lalu Prasad Yadav & Ors.

Bench: Special Judge Vishal Gogne

Hearing Date: December 13, 2025

Inputs: PTI