Rabri Devi Seeks Transfer of CBI and ED Cases, Citing Fear of Judicial Bias
Former Bihar CM raises concerns over fairness in her high-profile corruption trials.
Rabri Devi, the former Chief Minister of Bihar, has filed a plea seeking to transfer her four cases involving the CBI and ED to another court due to her apprehension of bias by the current judge, Vishal Gogne. She alleges that the judge's conduct during proceedings has appeared unduly inclined towards the prosecution, creating a “reasonable apprehension” that she may not receive a fair trial. The cases include serious charges such as the land-for-jobs scam and IRCTC-related allegations, which are currently being heard in Gogne’s court. She claims that her trust in the fairness of the proceedings has been compromised, prompting her request for the transfer.
In her plea, Devi asserted that the judge's behavior during hearings had exhibited bias, citing specific instances which she believed demonstrated a lack of impartiality. She argued that the transfer was necessary “in the interest of justice,” to ensure a fair and unbiased trial process. Her legal team emphasized that her concerns were based on factual courtroom conduct and not mere speculation, and stressed the importance of upholding the principles of fair trial standards.
The cases against Devi involve allegations of accepting land and benefits from private individuals in exchange for jobs and favorable contracts during her husband Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railways Minister. Both the CBI and ED have filed detailed chargesheets, claiming that these arrangements amounted to financial irregularities and corruption. Devi and her family, however, maintain they are victims of political vendettas and are innocent of the charges.
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The plea is scheduled for court hearing later, with senior advocate Maninder Singh representing Devi, arguing that proceedings should be deferred until the transfer request is considered. The court’s decision on whether to reassign the cases to a different judge will determine the future course of these politically sensitive proceedings, which remain under intense public and political scrutiny.
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