Land for Jobs Scam: Delhi Court Defers Charge Order Against Lalu Yadav, Directs CBI to Clarify Status of 103 Accused
Delhi court deferred its order on framing charges in the alleged land-for-jobs scam and asked the CBI to verify the current status of all accused persons. It noted that out of the 103 individuals named by the agency, four have since passed away
Lalu Prasad Yadav Land-for-Jobs Case Hits Pause: Delhi Court Demands Updated CBI Report Before Framing Charges
A Delhi Court on Thursday postponed its decision on whether to frame charges in the alleged land-for-job scam involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, members of his family and several other accused.
Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a detailed status report after verifying the current status of all accused persons in the case.
The Court noted that out of the 103 individuals named by the agency, four have since passed away.
The Judge said the verification was essential before the court could proceed with the question of charge.
After issuing the direction, the Court listed the matter for further proceedings on December 8.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has charge-sheeted Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others, alleging that jobs in the Indian Railways were given in exchange for land parcels transferred to the family during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister.
The Court had earlier reserved its order on September 11 after hearing extensive arguments from both sides.
Appearing for the CBI, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) D.P. Singh had contended that sufficient material existed to frame charges against all accused, asserting that the evidence demonstrated a clear quid pro quo involving recruitment in the Railways.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing Lalu Prasad Yadav had countered the allegations, calling the case “politically motivated.” He argued that there was no evidence of any land being transferred in exchange for government jobs. “There are registered sale deeds that show land was purchased for monetary consideration,” he submitted, adding that no recruitment rule was violated and no favour was extended by the former minister.
He had further pointed out that no General Manager or official from the Railways had stated that they were influenced or directed by Lalu Prasad in any recruitment decisions. “Merely calling him a kingpin is not sufficient. There is no evidence against him,” Singh had told the Court.
On behalf of Rabri Devi, counsel had argued that she had purchased land legally by paying due consideration, and such transactions were independent and unconnected to any alleged recruitment favours.
The CBI, however, had maintained that the accused acquired properties through benami transactions in return for appointments in various railway zones, calling it a classic case of abuse of official position.
In a related news, on July 18, the Apex Court had refused a plea by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav against an order refusing to stay the trial court's proceedings against him in relation to the land for jobs scam. The Bench had said that it would not interfere for such a small matter and let the High Court decide the main issue of quashing the chargesheet.
The Delhi High Court had in May dismissed a plea filed by the former Union Railway Minister seeking quashing of the FIR, chargesheets and the cognisance taken by the trial court in connection with the land-for-job scam being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In 2023 a Delhi court had granted bail to Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi in relation to a fresh CBI chargesheet in alleged land-for-job scam case. Special Judge Geetanjali Goel of the Rouse Avenue Court had granted relief to the accused persons after they appeared before the court in pursuance of summons issued against them.
In July 2023, CBI had filed a chargesheet against Lalu, his wife and their son in connection with the alleged scam. It was the second chargesheet filed by CBI in the case. Besides the three members of the Yadav family, the federal agency had also named 14 individuals and entities in the chargesheet.
Case Title: CBI v. Lalu Prasad Yadav & Ors.
Bench: Special Judge Vishal Gogne
Hearing Date: December 4, 2025