New Delhi, April 13 -- The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant immediate relief to former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in his plea seeking quashing of proceedings arising out of the alleged land-for-jobs scam.

A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh, however, granted limited relief by exempting Lalu Prasad Yadav from personal appearance before the trial court. The Court clarified that the trial court is free to examine the merits of the case and decide the matter in accordance with the law.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Yadav, argued that the alleged recommendations for appointments made during his tenure as Railway Minister were not in his official capacity. He contended that a sanction under S...