New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has strongly opposed former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi’s petition seeking to transfer the IRCTC land-for-jobs case from the special judge, terming it a deliberate attempt to derail the trial. The agency described her plea as “malicious, misleading, and a clear case of forum shopping.”
According to sources quoted by The Economic Times, the CBI told the court that Rabri Devi is “resorting to tactical manoeuvres” similar to what was attempted in the Fodder Scam case, in which her husband and former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav was convicted.
“A Malicious Attempt to Mislead the Court” — CBI
The CBI submitted that Rabri’s application was not only intended to malign the court but also to intimidate the presiding judge. The agency argued:
“This is nothing but a malicious attempt to mislead the court, defame the institution, and threaten the special judge, thereby interfering with the free and fair administration of justice.”
The CBI added that Rabri’s claims were baseless and aimed at shifting the trial to a more favourable forum after months of proceedings had already taken place.
CBI’s Sharp Counter to Rabri Devi’s Transfer Plea
The CBI maintained that the special judge’s orders were passed strictly on judicial merit and after due application of mind.
The agency said:
“A case cannot be transferred merely on assumptions or perceived bias. Such actions have far-reaching consequences, affecting the progress of the trial and undermining the morale of the presiding judge.”
It emphasized that Rabri’s concerns—if genuine—should have been raised at the initial stage, not after charges had been argued, reserved, framed, and the case had moved into the evidence stage.
CBI Draws Parallels With Fodder Scam “Forum Shopping”
To strengthen its argument, the CBI cited the 2013 Supreme Court order in the Fodder Scam case, where an attempt by Lalu Prasad Yadav to transfer the trial was struck down.
The CBI said:
“This is not the first instance of forum shopping by the applicant and her family. In the Fodder Scam case, the Supreme Court had rejected similar transfer pleas.”
The agency suggested that Rabri Devi was attempting to repeat the same strategy to delay or sidestep legal consequences.
Transfer of Case Not Justified: CBI
The CBI asserted that adverse orders against an accused cannot be grounds for transferring a case. It argued:
“Transfer applications cannot be entertained for trivial grievances or sensitivity. Only when there is a genuine threat to the fairness of the trial or the integrity of the judicial environment can such a request be considered.”
The agency urged the court not to permit the trial to be influenced by tactics designed to obstruct justice.
Discover more from SD NEWS agency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.