Rouse Avenue Court To Deliver Verdict In Land-For-Jobs Case On 10 December

The Rouse Avenue Court will pronounce the verdict on 10 December in the high-profile Land-for-Jobs corruption case, which implicates former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family, and several associates.

During proceedings, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) requested additional time to investigate the number of deaths linked to the case.

The court granted a two-day extension to accommodate this request.

Special Judge Vishal Gogane had previously asked the CBI to provide details of the current status of the accused. After hearing submissions from all parties in the previous hearing, the court had reserved its decision.

The court will charge multiple high-profile figures, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and Hema Yadav.

The CBI has alleged that officials engaged in large-scale corruption, conducting most land purchases in cash, while only some CELD transactions were exceptions.

The agency has filed charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 468, 467, 471, and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Sections 11, 12, 13, 8, and 9).

Allegations of Fraudulent Recruitment

During hearings, CBI Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh claimed that former Rail Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and family members allegedly offered Group-D railway jobs to unqualified individuals, using forged signatures, transfer certificates, and mark sheets.

The CBI further alleged that applicants falsified schools they never attended and fabricated certificates to claim a minimum of eighth-grade education.

The agency also claimed that Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family bought land at 60 per cent below market rates in exchange for these appointments and conducted the transactions in cash.

Lawyers for Rabri Devi argued that the accused purchased the land legitimately, made the payments for the property, and did not obtain any unlawful benefit. They stressed that the CBI must prove that corruption had actually occurred.

The CBI’s charges relate to alleged irregularities between 2004 and 2009, during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Rail Minister, involving appointments to Group-D positions in the Central Railway.

A total of 102 individuals have been named as accused in the case.

Prominent political figures and the serious nature of the alleged corruption make observers closely watch the verdict on 10 December.

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