Supreme Court Upholds Trial Proceedings in Lalu Prasad's Land-for-Jobs Case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to postpone the hearing on charge framing in the land-for-jobs scam involving Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. The bench, comprising Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh, clarified that the ongoing process would not affect the validity of Yadav's pending appeal in the High Court.

During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the investigating agency, opposed Yadav's application. He also sought penalties for filing the plea, a motion the court did not entertain.

Previously, on July 18, the apex court had refused to halt the trial despite Yadav's petition against the Delhi High Court's decision to allow it. The case revolves around allegations that Yadav, as railways minister from 2004 to 2009, exploited his position to secure land for his family in exchange for railway jobs.

The CBI claims these appointments were made without public notification, facilitated by senior West Central Railways officials under Yadav's directive. Critically, they did not meet Indian Railways' recruitment standards. A detailed charge sheet, involving Yadav, his kin, and 77 others, was filed on June 7. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)