Delhi court seeks Judge Vishal Gogne's comments on Rabri Devi's plea to transfer cases from him

A Delhi court on Tuesday sought Judge Vishal Gogne’s comments on a plea filed by former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi’s to transfer criminal cases against her and her family members to another judge. 

Principal District and Sessions Judge Dinesh Bhatt of Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order today after hearing submissions from Rabri Devi’s lawyer, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh. 

“Ld Counsel for the applicant states that he would be filing a short synopsis within one day and also refered to the judgment Directorate of Enforcement v. Ajay S. Mittal, 2024 SCC Online Del 4047. In the meanwhile, comments from the Ld. Special Judge be also called for," the Court said. 

It will hear the matter next on December 17. 

Rabri Devi has filed four petitions seeking transfer of four cases pending before Judge Gogne. These cases relate to the alleged IRCTC scam case, land for jobs case and the money laundering proceedings initiated based on these matters. 

Today, Senior Advocate Singh made his rebuttal arguments in the case and stated that a total of 29 cases are pending adjudication before Judge Gogne, but no other case is being taken up by him in such a “hasty manner” as those against Rabri Devi and her family. 

Singh stated that between January 1, 2025, to December 14, 2025, the judge heard the four cases against the Yadav family on 117, 70, 50 and 28 occasions respectively.

Further, he also took exception to CBI’s submissions that Rabri Devi’s plea for transfer of cases was to "demean the judge" or "bulldoze the Courts". He said that such submissions are defamatory and false. 

Notably, on December 13, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) DP Singh had appeared for the CBI had opposed Rabri Devi's plea and stated that the RJD leader was trying to delay the proceedings.

CBI stated that Judge Gogne was following the procedure laid down by the Courts and his predecessors in dealing with the cases.

[Read Order]