CBI Faces Pushback as Rabri Devi Accuses IRCTC Trial Judge of Bias
New Delhi: Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi has sought the transfer of her cases being heard by Special Judge Vishal Gogne, alleging bias in the IRCTC scam and land-for-jobs scam cases. Devi, an accused in four cases registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), claims she fears she will not receive impartial justice under the current judge.
Devi's plea, submitted to the Principal District and Sessions Judge, states she has a "bonafide and reasonable apprehension that fair and impartial justice will not be rendered by the Special Judge". The plea contends that the judge's conduct during proceedings "appears to be unduly inclined towards the prosecution," leading to a "reasonable apprehension of bias". Senior advocate Maninder Singh moved the application, asserting that Devi believes the judge conducts proceedings "with a premeditated mind with a sole aim to convict the applicant in the present cases". She has requested that the cases be transferred to another court of competent jurisdiction to ensure a fair trial. The court is expected to hear the plea on Tuesday.
The cases against Devi include the IRCTC scam, which involves alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri during her husband Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister. She also faces charges in the land-for-jobs scam, where public land was allegedly given to private entities in exchange for recruitment favors during her time in office. Lalu Prasad Yadav and their son, Tejashwi Yadav, are also accused in these cases. All accused parties deny the charges against them.
The CBI has so far not responded to the accusations of bias or Devi's request to transfer the cases. Previously, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi requested weekly hearings for the IRCTC case and an extension to prepare for witness cross-examinations, but the CBI did not respond to this request either. The court continued with witness examinations. Senior Advocate D.P. Singh, representing the CBI, has opposed delays in the proceedings, emphasizing the availability of witnesses from outside Delhi.
Legal experts note that requests for judge transfer are uncommon but permissible under Indian law if there is a credible apprehension of bias. It remains to be seen how the court will respond to Devi's plea and whether the CBI will address the allegations of bias leveled against the Special Judge. The case is under judicial scrutiny, and further developments are awaited.
