Land-for-Jobs Scam: Delhi Court Frames Charges Against Lalu Yadav Family & Others
Delhi Court framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav in the CBI land-for-jobs scam case
A Delhi Court on Friday framed charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Misa Bharti and several others accused in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scam.
While passing the order, Special Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court passed the order.
The case arises from a CBI probe into allegations that land parcels were transferred to members of the Yadav family and their associates in return for Group-D appointments in the Railways between 2004 and 2009. Further proceedings in the matter are scheduled to continue before the trial court.
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.
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.
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: January 9, 2026