1. This is a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 [“Cr. PC”] for quashing of FIR No. RC2202022E0007 under sections 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 [“IPC”] read with Sections 11, 12, 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 [“PC Act” or “the Act”] (pre-2018 amendment) dated 18.05.2022 and charge sheets dated 07.10.2022, 01.07.2023 and 07.06.2024, filed in FIR/RC and also the quashing of the cognizance orders dated 27.02.2023, 22.09.2023 and 25.02.2025 along with consequential orders passed by learned Special Judge (PC Act).

2. A preliminary enquiry (PE No. 220/2021/E0002) was registered by CBI, EOU-IV, New Delhi on 23.09.2021 concerning alleged irregular appointments of Substitutes in Group-D posts in various Zonal Railways during the period 2004-2009. It was alleged that unknown public servants of the Indian Railways appointed and later regularized substitutes without adhering to the prescribed guidelines, without issuing any advertisement or public notice, and by showing undue haste in processing applications. Several appointees, though residents of Patna, Bihar, were appointe