Delhi HC refuses to quash Lalu Yadav case in alleged land-for-jobs scam

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea by Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking to quash a corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) , allowing trial proceedings in the alleged “land-for-jobs” scam to continue.

Justice Ravinder Dudeja rejected Yadav’s petition, which challenged the FIR filed in 2022, three subsequent charge sheets, and trial court orders taking cognisance of the case. The court held the plea to be without merit; a detailed judgment is awaited.

The case relates to alleged irregular appointments to Group D posts in the Indian Railways during Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. According to the CBI, candidates or their family members allegedly transferred land parcels either as gifts or at below-market rates to Yadav’s relatives or associates in exchange for jobs. These transactions are said to be linked to recruitments in the West Central Zone, particularly in Jabalpur .

Yadav had argued that the investigation was legally unsustainable due to the absence of prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court, however, declined to accept this contention.

The FIR, registered on May 18, 2022 , names Yadav, his wife, two daughters, and others. All accused are currently out on bail. With the High Court’s refusal to intervene, the matter will proceed before the trial court.