Former Bihar CM and RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Monday sought the quashing of a 2022 CBI FIR against him in the land-for-jobs scam, arguing in the Delhi High Court that the investigation was initiated without requisite sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of Prasad, argued before Justice Ravinder Dudeja: “Our case is, (CBI) investigation was illegal. Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act protects me fully; whether charges are framed or not is irrelevant.”
Prasad and his family are accused of enabling railway recruitment in return for land. A Delhi trial court is currently hearing arguments on the charges in the case.
Section 17A of PCA bars a police officer from conducting any inquiry or investigation into the offence committed by a public servant where the offence is relatable to any recommendation made or decision taken by such public servant in discharge of his public functions, without approval of the competent authority.
The RJD chief is also seeking quashing of the three chargesheets filed on October 7, 2022, July 1, 2023 and June 7, 2024 in relation to this CBI FIR, along with the orders taking cognisance of the chargesheets, on the ground that once the procedure for conducting the probe is not followed, subsequent criminal proceedings will stand to be bad in law. Justice Dudeja, in May, had refused to stay the trial court proceedings.
