Mon Apr 07 09:33:18 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Upholds Bail for Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Aide in Land-for-Jobs Scam
**New Delhi, April 7, 2025** – The Supreme Court today refused to overturn the Delhi High Court’s decision granting bail to Amit Katyal, a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. Katyal is implicated in a money laundering case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scam in the Indian Railways during Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister.
A Supreme Court bench questioned the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) selective prosecution, stating, “No big fish. Main persons have not been arrested. Why go on after only small flies?” The bench highlighted the High Court’s concern over the ED’s “pick and choose” policy, noting that despite Katyal’s cooperation with the investigation, he was arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport before a scheduled flight.
The High Court, in its September 17, 2024 ruling, emphasized that Katyal’s role appeared less significant than other accused who remain unarrested. The court also found that Katyal was not a flight risk. The ED, however, argued that Katyal actively assisted Yadav and his family in handling proceeds from alleged corrupt practices.
The case centers on Group D appointments in the West Central Zone of the Indian Railways between 2004 and 2009. The ED alleges that Katyal’s company, A K Infosystems Private Limited, acquired land from job applicants on behalf of Yadav. Other members of Yadav’s family are also accused in the case. A trial court initially denied Katyal bail before the High Court overturned the decision. The ED’s appeal to the Supreme Court has now been rejected.
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