SC Refuses to Quash FIR in Lalu Land-for-Jobs Case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Monday refused to quash a CBI FIR in the land-for-jobs case involving RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.

A bench of M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh, however, granted exemption to the 77-year-old leader from personal appearance before the trial court during proceedings.

The court allowed Yadav to raise the issue of applicability of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act in the case.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had on March 24 dismissed his plea to quash the FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, rejecting his argument that prior sanction under Section 17A was required.

The case pertains to alleged irregular appointments to Group D posts in the West Central Zone of the Indian Railways in Jabalpur during Yadav’s tenure as railway minister from 2004 to 2009, in exchange for land parcels transferred in the names of his family members or associates.

The FIR was registered on May 18, 2022, against Yadav, his wife, two daughters, unidentified public officials and private individuals. (Agencies)