Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi has filed a request seeking the transfer of four criminal cases involving her and her family away from the court of Special Judge Vishal Gogne at the Rouse Avenue Courts in Delhi. The matters include the CBI’s IRCTC tender case, the land-for-jobs allegations, and the related money-laundering investigations being pursued by the Enforcement Directorate.
In her application, Rabri Devi claims that Judge Gogne’s conduct throughout the proceedings has caused her to lose confidence in his ability to preside over the cases impartially. She alleges that the judge has displayed an undue inclination toward the prosecution, and that several of his actions and orders have contributed to what she describes as a reasonable apprehension of bias. The plea stresses that this concern is not speculative but based on specific courtroom instances that, in her view, compromise the fairness of the trial.
The cases stem from accusations that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister, members of the Yadav family accepted land and other benefits from private individuals in exchange for jobs in the Railways or favourable IRCTC contract awards. The CBI and ED have filed detailed chargesheets alleging financial and material gains, while the family has consistently claimed that the cases are politically motivated and part of a sustained attempt to target opposition leaders.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Rabri Devi, informed the trial court that the transfer application has already been formally submitted for consideration. He argued that it would be inappropriate to continue proceedings before the same judge while the plea is pending, as doing so may prejudice the accused and undermine the perception of fairness that must accompany criminal trials. He urged that all substantive steps be deferred until the transfer request is decided.
The prosecution has not yet placed its response on record, but such applications typically require the reviewing authority to examine whether the circumstances genuinely justify reassigning the matter or whether the plea amounts to a tactical attempt to delay the trial. The outcome will determine whether the cases remain with Judge Gogne or are moved to another judicial officer within the Rouse Avenue court complex.
The development has added fresh complexity to already high-profile proceedings involving one of Bihar’s most influential political families, bringing renewed attention to issues of judicial neutrality and the handling of politically sensitive criminal investigations.
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