The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on Lalu Prasad Yadav’s petition seeking to quash the Central Bureau of Investigation case in the alleged land-for-jobs scam. The court heard arguments on the need for prior sanction under anti-corruption law and objections raised by the CBI on maintainability and delay.
The CBI told the Delhi High Court that Lalu Prasad Yadav had no official role or public duty in railway appointments during his tenure as Union Railway Minister. The agency argued that decisions were taken by General Managers, making prior sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act unnecessary.
The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. While Justice K.V. Viswanathan upheld the provision with safeguards, Justice B.V. Nagarathna dissented, calling it unconstitutional.
Today, On 6th August, The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on petitions challenging the 2018 amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act. It questioned how governance benefits when honest decisions are attacked by frivolous online allegations against officers.
Supreme Court hears challenge to Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, raising concerns over misuse. Justice Nagarathna warns: “It can protect honest officers — or dishonest ones.”
Supreme Court declines to intervene in Lalu Prasad Yadav’s plea on land-for-jobs scam. ASG SV Raju urges costs, says, “Big pockets file multiple applications.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s plea against a Governor-sanctioned investigation into alleged corruption in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority has been postponed to January 20. He contests the legality of the sanction, claiming political motivations behind the allegations. The Lokayukta is investigating claims of improper land allocations to his wife amidst ongoing pressures from the BJP.
Karnataka: On Thursday(14th Nov): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s appeal against Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s sanction to prosecute him in the MUDA scam case will be heard by a Division Bench on November 23. Siddaramaiah contests allegations of corruption involving land granted to his wife, previously upheld by a single-judge bench that dismissed his plea in September.
Today, On 24th September, under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, a corruption investigation against former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was approved by the Governor, upheld by the High Court. However, the court denied prosecution approval under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, emphasizing safeguards for public officials.
The Karnataka HC Today (Sept 24) dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s decision to sanction his prosecution in the alleged MUDA land scam case. Bench ruled the Governor could take an “independent decision” and that Mr Gehlot “did apply his mind in abundance”. There is, therefore, “no fault in the Governor’s actions, as far as the order (to prosecute the Chief Minister) is concerned”, the court said.
