Land-For-Jobs Scam: Delhi Court Frames Charges Against Lalu Yadav, Family

A Delhi court on Friday directed that charges be framed against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, their children Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Misa Bharti, and several others in the long-running Railways land-for-jobs case.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court observed that Lalu Yadav had allegedly treated the Railway Ministry as his "personal fiefdom," turning public employment into a tool for private gain. According to the judge, jobs in the Railways were used as bargaining chips to secure land parcels for the Yadav family, with the involvement of railway officials and close aides.

Out of 103 individuals originally named in the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) chargesheet, five have since passed away. Of the remaining 98 accused, the court ordered charges against 46 and discharged 52, including several railway officials. The matter has now been scheduled for formal framing of charges on January 23.

The case dates back to Lalu Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. Investigators allege that Group D jobs in the West Central Zone of Indian Railways, headquartered in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, were handed out in exchange for land transfers to Yadav family members or associates. Many of these transactions reportedly involved benami properties, raising charges of corruption, conspiracy, and misconduct.

Judge Gogne dismissed pleas by Lalu Yadav and his family seeking discharge, calling them "completely unwarranted." He noted that the chargesheet points to a systematic arrangement where close associates of the RJD leader facilitated land acquisitions in return for jobs across different parts of the country.

The Yadav family, however, has consistently denied wrongdoing, claiming the case is politically motivated. Parallel to the CBI's investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing the money laundering angle. The ED has already attached assets worth more than ₹600 crore, alleging they represent proceeds of crime linked to the scam.

During Friday's proceedings, the CBI was represented by Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, assisted by advocates Manu Mishra, Imaan Khera, and Garima Saxena. On the other side, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, along with Varun Jain, Navin Kumar, and Satish Kumar, appeared for Lalu Yadav and his family.

The court has charged Lalu Yadav under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act as well as relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). His family members face charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy.

With the formal framing of charges set for later this month, the case is poised to become a major legal and political flashpoint, especially given Lalu Yadav's enduring influence in Bihar politics and the prominence of his son Tejashwi Yadav as the current Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

With inputs from PTI