Rabri Devi moves Delhi High Court seeking documents not relied upon by prosecution in Land-for-Jobs case

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the response of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a plea filed by former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi against a trial court order denying her documents not relied upon by the prosecution in the land-for-jobs case.

Justice Manoj Jain issued a notice to the CBI and said that the case will be heard next on April 1.

Rabri Devi has argued that access to unrelied documents is necessary to effectively cross-examine key prosecution witnesses, including approvers.

The trial court had on March 18, rejected the applications moved by Rabri Devi and Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking such documents.

The trial court had said that there is no automatic right to obtain documents that the prosecution had not relied upon in its chargesheet.

The trial court clarified that the scheme of criminal trial requires the prosecution to first lead its evidence based on relied documents, and that unrelied documents cannot be demanded as a precondition for cross-examination.

The case concerns allegations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that during his tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, Lalu Prasad Yadav facilitated appointments to Group D posts in the Railways in exchange for land parcels transferred to his family at nominal prices.

According to the agency, several job seekers or their relatives allegedly sold or gifted land in Patna and other locations to Yadav’s family members and associated entities, without any public recruitment process, as part of a quid pro quo arrangement.

The Yadav family has denied the allegations, stating that they are politically motivated.

Senior Advocate Maninder Singh appeared for Rabri Devi.

CBI was represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) DP Singh.