The Delhi High Court on Monday witnessed a sharp exchange between Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju during the hearing of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav’s petition seeking quashing of the alleged land-for-jobs scam case.
Sibal, appearing for Lalu Prasad, argued on the requirement of sanction for prosecution, stating,
“You have to get sanction, how are they arguing against their own case? Closure report was filed by CBI itself.”
Appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Raju objected to Sibal’s submissions and accused him of raising fresh issues and misrepresenting the law.
“Sibal has argued on a new point. I have to point out the correct law. Mr Sibal makes misleading arguments and doesn't let me argue,” he said.
This led to a tense exchange between the two senior lawyers, with Sibal strongly rejecting the allegation that he had misled the Court. Questioning Raju’s authority to make such claims, he said,
“You don't even have the honesty to say that I have not misled any court. Never in my life. Don't dare say that. You may be Additional Solicitor General of India, you are not the judge.”
ASG Raju, however, stood by his submission and maintained that it was his duty to clarify the legal position before the Court.
“Yes, you have misled the Court, it is my submission and I will point out how you have misled and you don't allow me to point out."
As the exchange intensified, Sibal questioned ASG Raju’s conduct and professional standing, further escalating tensions in the courtroom.
“You are the Additional Solicitor General, not a petty lawyer. You want to reduce yourself to that status, you are welcome. We don't tolerate this. I don't know if you have been in this Court enough to know who I am. You have no idea,” remarked Sibal.
Raju replied in a calmer tone, stating,
“I have a lot of respect for you, but in such matters I have to point out.”
At this stage, Justice Ravinder Dudeja, presiding over the matter, intervened to de-escalate the situation. He said,
“Let us cool down the atmosphere.”
Following the verbal crossfire between the two senior lawyers, the Court brought the hearing to a close for the day and granted liberty to both sides to file brief written submissions.
The Court directed that the notes be concise, limited to a short submission of up to five pages, and be filed within one week.
The matter will be considered further after the written submissions are placed on record.
The land-for-jobs case involves allegations that while serving as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, Lalu Prasad Yadav facilitated Group-D appointments in the Railways in return for land parcels being transferred to his family members and close associates.
The CBI registered the case in 2022 and subsequently filed chargesheets against Lalu Yadav, his family and others, alleging corruption and criminal conspiracy.
Before the Delhi High Court, Lalu Yadav has sought quashing of the case, contending that the investigation was initiated without the mandatory prior sanction required under the Prevention of Corruption Act.