Supreme Court Refuses to Stay Lalu Yadav Trial
Supreme Court Refuses to Stay Trial in Lalu Yadav Land-for-Job Case
In a significant legal setback for RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Supreme Court on Friday declined to stay trial court proceedings in the much-discussed land-for-job scam.
The apex court also directed the Delhi High Court to expedite its hearing on Yadav’s petition to quash the CBI FIR in the matter. The case, which dates back to his tenure as the Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, involves serious allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
No Relief from Top Court in Land-for-Job Scam
A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh heard Lalu Prasad Yadav’s petition, which sought a complete halt to the trial and quashing of criminal proceedings.
However, the Supreme Court refused to interfere at this stage and advised the Delhi High Court to resolve the matter swiftly.
“Let the Delhi High Court decide the petition without further delay,” the bench stated.
The top court, however, granted exemption from personal appearance to Yadav before the trial court, acknowledging his health and age-related constraints.
Background of the Land-for-Job Scam
The alleged scam is linked to Lalu Yadav’s time as the railway minister in the UPA-1 government. The CBI alleges that between 2004 and 2009, several individuals were appointed to Group D jobs in various railway zones.
In return, the appointees allegedly transferred prime land parcels to Lalu Yadav’s family members and to A K Infosystems Pvt Ltd, a company associated with his associates.
These transactions were allegedly conducted at rates well below market value, raising suspicion of quid pro quo arrangements for government jobs.
Delhi High Court’s Position
Earlier, on May 29, the Delhi High Court refused to stay the trial, stating that there was no compelling reason to do so.
It issued notice to the CBI on Lalu’s plea and scheduled the next hearing for August 12. The High Court will now evaluate the merits of the plea, even as the trial continues in a lower court in Delhi.
Yadav’s legal team argues that the charges are politically motivated and based on fabricated evidence. They have maintained that the land transactions were transparent and had no link to any job appointments.
What’s Next for Lalu Yadav?
With the Supreme Court’s refusal to stall the proceedings, the trial court is now free to continue hearing the case.
The next few weeks are crucial, as the Delhi High Court’s judgment on the plea to quash the FIR could determine whether the case proceeds or is halted.
Yadav, who has already been convicted in multiple fodder scam cases, faces serious reputational and legal risks if found guilty again.
This case is also expected to have political implications ahead of major elections, particularly in Bihar, where the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) remains a key player in the state’s opposition alliance.