On Friday, a Delhi Court ordered the framing of corruption and conspiracy charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their children, including Tejashwi Yadav, in the alleged Railways land for jobs scam, marking a decisive turn in a politically sensitive prosecution with far-reaching implications for public recruitment integrity.
The case, investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, centres on allegations that during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, Group D railway jobs were allegedly offered to candidates in return for land parcels transferred to his family members and linked entities at throwaway prices. According to the prosecution, the appointments were made without any transparent recruitment process, while land transactions in Patna and other locations were routed through relatives and associates, pointing to a quid pro quo arrangement.
The accused have consistently denied the charges, maintaining that the case is politically driven, even as the Enforcement Directorate continues parallel proceedings and has attached assets valued at over Rs.600 crore.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts found sufficient material to proceed to trial, holding that the allegations disclose an organised scheme where public employment was allegedly leveraged for private gain. The Court observed that the accused acted as part of a wider conspiracy and noted that the Railways was allegedly treated as a personal domain for dispensing favours, recording that “the plea of Mr Lalu Yadav and his family members to be discharged is completely unwarranted.”
While charges have been framed against 46 accused, including Lalu Yadav and his family members, the court discharged 52 others, setting the stage for a full fledged criminal trial.
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