New Delhi: Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi has formally requested the transfer of several CBI and ED cases against her, including the high-profile IRCTC and land-for-jobs scams, from the court of Special Judge Vishal Gogne, alleging bias. The plea, submitted to the Principal District and Sessions Judge at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Monday, November 24, 2025, claims that she harbors "a reasonable apprehension" that fair and impartial justice will not be served under the current judge.
Devi's application asserts that Judge Gogne is "unduly inclined" towards the prosecution, and his conduct during the proceedings has created a "reasonable apprehension of bias" in her mind. She suggests several instances during the case proceedings demonstrate this alleged bias. She claims the judge is conducting the trial with a "premeditated mind". Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing Devi, informed Judge Gogne about the filed application, indicating a hearing is likely to occur soon.
The cases in question include the IRCTC scam and the alleged cash-for-jobs case, along with associated money laundering proceedings investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Judge Gogne had previously framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and other co-accused in the IRCTC case on October 13, 2025. These charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption. Devi's plea states that the judge is hearing the cases against her family with a fixed mindset.
The CBI is expected to oppose the transfer request, arguing that Devi is engaging in "forum shopping" and that the judge is merely "inconvenient". The CBI may contend that the judge is simply carrying out his duties and that there is no legitimate basis for claiming bias.
According to the CBI, the IRCTC scam allegedly transpired between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Union Railway Minister. It is alleged that two IRCTC hotels were illicitly leased to a private firm, and prime land in Patna was purportedly transferred to Lalu Prasad's family members and a benami company in return.
Devi's plea highlights instances where the accused were allegedly asked to argue on charges while the CBI was allowed to present arguments after the defense counsels had concluded, which she claims is a violation of legal procedures. She also points to an incident where Judge Gogne allegedly timed a corruption case order right before the Bihar assembly polls, with the deliberate intention to influence voters against the RJD. Furthermore, she alleges that the judge made her, her husband Lalu Prasad Yadav, and son Tejashwi Yadav stand near the judge's table during the pronouncement of charges in the IRCTC case and then read the order aloud in both English and Hindi, allegedly to prejudice the family.
Legal experts note that requests for judge transfers are uncommon but permitted under Indian law if there is a credible apprehension of bias. The court will now need to assess the merits of Rabri Devi's claims and determine whether there is sufficient cause to transfer the cases to another judge to ensure a fair and impartial trial.
