The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has reserved its verdict on framing charges in the Land-for-Jobs corruption case and will announce its decision on 10 November.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne reserved the order after hearing detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a charge sheet against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and several others, alleging they accepted land parcels at throwaway prices in exchange for employment in the Indian Railways.
The CBI charged the accused under multiple sections, including IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 468, 467, 471, and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, specifically Sections 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13.
CBI counsel DP Singh alleged that the accused carried out large-scale corruption, conducting most land transactions in cash at significantly undervalued rates.
The agency alleged that the Yadav family received land at 60% below market rates from candidates or their families in return for Group-D railway jobs.
The CBI also told the court that the accused forged signatures, school transfer certificates, and mark sheets to falsely show that candidates met the minimum qualification requirement of passing Class 8.
It further questioned the authenticity of the schools that issued these certificates, suggesting some institutions did not even exist.
Defence Arguments by Rabri Devi’s Counsel
Counsel representing Rabri Devi denied all allegations, arguing that the land purchases were legitimate property transactions for which proper payments were made.
They maintained that ‘buying land by paying money is not a crime’, asserting that there was no evidence linking the land transactions to railway appointments.
Rabri Devi’s lawyer also argued that the CBI must establish the existence of corruption through verifiable proof, as mere suspicion was insufficient.
The defence claimed that none of the accused benefited improperly and that the CBI’s case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence.
CBI Claims Direct Involvement of the Yadav Family
The prosecution countered the defence by asserting that Lalu Prasad Yadav, as the then Railway Minister, abused his position to benefit his family.
According to the CBI, the agency recruited individuals who could barely write their names into Group D railway posts as part of a quid pro quo arrangement.
The CBI told the court that it had already obtained prosecution sanctions against Lalu Prasad Yadav and other public servants involved.
The agency maintained that there was sufficient evidence to frame charges against all the accused.
The Land-for-Jobs case dates back to 2004–2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as Railway Minister.
The CBI alleges that Yadav’s family members acquired land at nominal prices in exchange for appointing several individuals to Group D posts in the Central Railway.
The CBI’s investigation identified 102 individuals as accused in the case, including land sellers, intermediaries, and officials.
The matter is distinct from the IRCTC hotel tender case, though both relate to alleged corruption during Yadav’s ministerial tenure.
With the court set to pronounce its order on 10 November, the case remains one of the most closely watched corruption trials involving a former Union Minister.
The verdict on whether charges will be formally framed is expected to shape the legal trajectory for Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and their associates.
Also Read: IRCTC Case: Charges Framed Against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi & Tejashwi Yadav
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