India, July 18 -- The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the trial against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in a case related to the appointments made during his tenure as the railway minister, allegedly in exchange for land gifted or transferred to his family members or associates. It exempted Yadav from personal presence during the trial.

Yadav moved the Supreme Court against the May 29 interim Delhi high court order, refusing to stay the trial while scheduling the hearing of his petition to quash the case in August. The Supreme Court cited the pendency of the proceedings in the high court and refused to interfere. It requested the high court to expedite the hearing on Yadav's plea.

The Supreme Court directed Ya...