RJD Chief Lalu Yadav Approaches Delhi HC to Quash CBI FIR in Land-for-Job Case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday, May 29, 2025, heard a plea filed by RJD chief and former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking quashing of the FIR and the cognizance taken by the trial court in connection with the land-for-job scam being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A bench led by Justice Ravindra Dudeja heard arguments presented by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal as well as submissions made by the counsel appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

At the outset, Senior Adv Kapil Sibal submitted, "......The alleged offence was committed between 2004 and 2009. A closure report was filed. They revived the case in 2022 without obtaining the mandatory Section 17A sanction under the Act, which is required as per Supreme Court judgments."

While referring to Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Sibal argued that the investigating agency failed to obtain the mandatory prior sanction required to prosecute the RJD chief.

Justice Ravinder Dudeja then asked Sibal when the chargesheets were filed in the present case. In response, Sibal stated that three charge sheets had been filed in 2023.

Justice Dudeja further suggested that the question of sanction could be raised before the trial court at the stage of framing charges, to which Sibal responded, "But what do I do if he goes ahead and frames the charges? That’s exactly why I’m before Your Lordship. Please wait for a month or so—we will argue the matter. What’s the hurry? There was a closure report. This is unfair."

He further went on to submit that he is entitled to invoke Section 482 CrPC before the High Court instead of going to the trial court and arguing on charges.

Opposing the plea, the counsel for the CBI contended that Lalu Prasad Yadav misused his position; therefore, sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was obtained. He argued that the case involved serious allegations of abuse of power and conspiracy against Yadav.

“This is a case where public servants were directed to make selections. A job was given in exchange for land—that’s why it is called the land-for-job scam,” he submitted.

He further contended that the trial court had rightly taken cognisance of the charge sheets filed and that the present petition is not maintainable at this stage.

The present case, being probed by the CBI and the ED, stems from allegations against Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was then serving as the Union Railway Minister. It is alleged that jobs in the Railways were given in exchange for land parcels.

Title: SHRI LALU PRASAD YADAV v. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION