Land For Jobs Scam Case: Tejashwi Yadav Moves Delhi High Court Against CBI Summons, Says Can't Be Questioned In Delhi

Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the summons issued to him by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) asking him to appear for questioning in the alleged land for jobs scam case.

The matter will be heard tomorrow by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma.

In the interim, Yadav has sought stay on the operation of the notices issued to him on February 28, March 04 and 11 requiring his attendance at CBI’s office in the national capital. He is yet to to appear for questioning in the case.

A direction is also sought for CBI to conduct his examination either at his residence or through any video conferencing applications.

Yadav in his petition has submitted that the impugned notices have been issued in gross violation of the CrPC provisions. He has said that the notice under section 160 of the Code can only be issued to a person who is situated within local jurisdiction of the police station or is within the adjoining police station.

“…whereas in the present matter the Petitioner being resident of Patna, Bihar is required to join investigation at New Delhi, which is neither within the Jurisdiction of Patna nor adjoining to the same,” the plea submits.

Yadav has also sought permission for his lawyer’s presence at a visible but not audible distance during his interrogation and direction for legal consultation of 15 minutes after every two hours at the time of recording of his statements.

According to the petition, the direction is being sought to ensure that no questions are put to him which would have a tendency to expose him to a criminal charge or to a penalty or forfeiture, in violation of the law.

CBI had filed a chargesheet in the case on October 10, 2022 against 16 persons. Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti and other individuals are accused in the matter.

It is the case of the probe agency that various residents of Bihar were appointed as substitutes in “Group-D posts” during 2004 to 2009 in different zones of Railways located at Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hajipur.

It has been alleged that in lieu of the same, the individuals themselves or their families transferred their land in the name of then then union minister of Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family members and a company namely M/s AK Infosystems Private Limited, which was subsequently taken over by his family members. 

CBI has also alleged that no advertisement or any public notice was issued for appointment of substitutes in Zonal Railways and that undue haste was shown in processing their applications.

Earlier today, a trial court granted bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and their daughter subject to furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and one surety of like amount each.

Title: Shri Tejashwi Prasad Yadav v. Central Bureau of Investigation