Land for Jobs Scam: Delhi Court Defers Order on Framing Charges to December 4
Rouse Avenue Court defers order on framing charges in CBI’s land-for-jobs case involving Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and others; next hearing on December 4
A Delhi Court on Monday deferred its order on framing charges in the alleged land-for-jobs corruption case involving former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their children, including Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court said the order will now be pronounced on December 4.
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 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, 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 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 told the court.
On behalf of Rabri Devi, counsel 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, has 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.
The matter will now be taken up on December 4, when the court is expected to pronounce its decision on framing of charges.
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