On Friday, a Delhi court framed charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav. The charges also include his family in connection with the alleged Railways land-for-jobs corruption case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the case.
Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts ruled that a prima facie case of corruption exists against Lalu Prasad.
The judge also found evidence of cheating and criminal conspiracy involving his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, and several others.
Court proceedings identified charges under Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The proceedings also included offences under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The authorities also accused the family members of cheating and criminal conspiracy under the IPC.
Judge remarked that Lalu Prasad and his family had been ‘operating as a criminal enterprise’, forming part of a larger conspiracy in which public employment in the Indian Railways was allegedly used to acquire immovable properties.
Evidence suggested that close associates of Lalu Prasad facilitated land acquisitions in exchange for railway jobs across multiple states.
Rejecting the plea, it said that “the plea of Mr Lalu Yadav and his family members to be discharged is completely unwarranted.”
The authorities brought charges against 46 of the 98 surviving accused, including Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family. They discharged the remaining 52 accused.
Proceedings against five other accused have ended due to their deaths. The court scheduled the next hearing for 29 January.
Allegations concern large-scale corruption between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad served as Union Railway Minister.
The CBI claimed that Lalu’s family and their related companies acquired parcels of land. They purchased much of it below market value and paid largely in cash. In return, railway jobs were allegedly provided across various zones.
Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a potential money-laundering trail linked to the land transfers in Patna. This investigation complements the ongoing CBI probe.
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