The Supreme Court on Friday, July 18, declined to stay the trial proceedings against former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD founder Lalu Prasad Yadav in the ongoing land-for-jobs scam case. A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh heard Yadav’s petition, which challenged the Delhi High Court’s interim decision that refused to halt the trial. The bench noted that since the main matter is still pending before the High Court, it would not interfere at this stage.
During the hearing, the judges firmly stated that there was no need to stay the proceedings or entertain the appeal based solely on an interim order. “We will not stay. We will dismiss the appeal and we will say that let the main matter be decided. Why should we keep this small matter?” remarked Justice Sundresh, making it clear that the Court saw no urgent need to intervene.
However, offering a slight relief to Yadav, the Court observed that he need not be personally present during the trial proceedings. It also urged the Delhi High Court to expedite the hearing of Yadav’s primary petition challenging the trial court’s cognizance of the case. With these observations, the Supreme Court disposed of the appeal, paving the way for the trial to continue.
