The Delhi high court has dismissed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's petition to quash the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case in connection with the land-for-jobs case.
A bench of justice Ravinder Dudeja opined that the petition lacks merit and the absence of prior approval under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act does not vitiate the preliminary inquiry, registration of FIR or cognisance orders passed by the special judge.
The court stated that the absence of prior approval under this provision does not vitiate the preliminary inquiry, registration of FIR or cognisance orders passed by the special judge. The petition being devoid of merits is accordingly dismissed.
Lalu Prasad had moved the high court to quash the case, citing absence of sanction under section 17A, for initiating preliminary inquiry. The CBI argued that it was not important for the agency to seek sanction prior under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, since the actions in question were not performed by Lalu in discharge of the official duties.
The land-for-jobs case pertains to Group-D appointments made in the West Central Zone of the railways based in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during Lalu Prasad's tenure as the railway minister from 2004 to 2009.
