A Delhi court has dismissed former Bihar CM Rabri Devi’s request to transfer CBI and ED cases linked to the IRCTC hotel tender and land-for-jobs scam. The court held that the trials will continue before the same judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.
A Delhi court on Friday rejected an application filed by former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi seeking the transfer of multiple criminal cases related to the IRCTC hotel tender scam and the alleged land-for-jobs scam, which are currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Rabri Devi had filed four separate petitions requesting that four cases pending before Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts be transferred to another judge.
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These cases include proceedings connected to the alleged IRCTC hotel tender scam, the land-for-jobs case, and the related money laundering cases initiated by the Enforcement Directorate.
All the matters arise from investigations into alleged irregularities in the award of IRCTC hotel tenders and the alleged appointments in the Railways in exchange for land during the tenure of her husband, former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
After hearing detailed submissions from both sides, the Rouse Avenue Court declined to grant the relief sought by Rabri Devi and dismissed her transfer application. As a result, all cases arising out of the CBI and ED investigations will continue to be heard by the same court.
The Principal District and Sessions Court will take up the matter again on December 17 after receiving comments from Judge Vishal Gogne.
Earlier, on December 13, the Central Bureau of Investigation had strongly opposed Rabri Devi’s plea seeking the transfer of criminal cases pending against her and members of her family in the land-for-jobs scam.
The agency argued that the application was legally unsustainable and aimed at interfering with the judicial process.
Opposing the plea, Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh, appearing for the CBI, submitted that the transfer request amounted to forum shopping and an attempt to undermine the authority of the court.
During the hearing, Singh stated, “You can’t bulldoze a Court..You can’t demean a judge,” while asserting that the plea was completely misconceived and untenable in law.
In a detailed reply filed earlier, the CBI had described Rabri Devi’s transfer application as a “mala fide attempt” to weaken the authority of the court.
The agency alleged that the plea was intended to scandalise the court, pressure the Special Judge, and directly interfere with the independent and fair administration of justice.
The CBI further pointed out that allegations of bias were raised only after extensive arguments on the issue of charge had already been heard over several months. The agency highlighted that charges had been framed and the trial had reached the stage of recording evidence.
According to the CBI, the timing of the plea clearly showed that it was an attempt to delay and derail the ongoing proceedings.
The CBI has charge-sheeted Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and others in the land-for-jobs scam.
The agency has alleged that jobs in the Indian Railways were granted in return for land parcels that were transferred to members of the Lalu Prasad Yadav family when he was serving as the Railway Minister.
The court had earlier reserved its order on the transfer plea on September 11 after hearing extensive arguments from both sides. During those hearings, Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh argued that sufficient material existed to frame charges against all the accused.
He submitted that the evidence clearly pointed towards a quid pro quo arrangement involving recruitment in the Indian Railways in exchange for land.
On behalf of Rabri Devi, her counsel had argued that the land transactions were lawful and carried out by paying proper consideration. It was contended that these purchases were independent transactions and had no connection with any alleged recruitment benefits or favours.
In a related development, on July 18, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain a plea filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav challenging an order that declined to stay the trial court proceedings in the land-for-jobs scam.
The apex court had observed that it would not interfere in such a small matter and allowed the High Court to decide the main issue regarding the quashing of the chargesheet.
Earlier, in May, the Delhi High Court had dismissed a petition filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking the quashing of the FIR, chargesheets, and the cognisance taken by the trial court in the land-for-jobs scam being investigated by the CBI.
In 2023, a Delhi court had granted bail to Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Rabri Devi in connection with a fresh CBI chargesheet filed in the alleged land-for-jobs scam case.
Case Title:
Smt. Rabri Devi Vs. CBI & Ors.
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