India, March 24 -- The Delhi high court on Tuesday dismissed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's petition to quash the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the land-for-jobs case.

A bench of justice Ravinder Dudeja opined that the petition is devoid of merits and the absence of prior approval under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, did not vititate the preliminary inquiry, registration of FIR or cognisance orders passed by the special judge.

To be sure, the said section mandates police officers to seek prior approval before conducting an inquiry, investigation or trial into an alleged corruption offense by a public servant, if the offense relates to official recommenda...