Delhi Court Frames Charges Against Lalu Prasad Yadav, His Family Members And Others
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad, along with his family members and several others charged in a corruption case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scam being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), The Hindu reported.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne on Friday (9 January) observed that Lalu Prasad had allegedly used the Railway Ministry as his personal fiefdom to run a criminal arrangement in which public employment was offered in exchange for land parcels.
The court said the alleged scheme involved collusion between the Yadav family, railway officials and close associates.
The court framed charges against 41 accused, while 52 others, including several railway officials, were discharged.
Earlier, the CBI informed the court that of the 103 accused named in its charge sheet, five had died.
The CBI has filed charge sheets against Lalu Prasad, his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, their son Tejashwi Yadav, and other accused in connection with the alleged scam.
According to the agency’s FIR, between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad was the Union Railway Minister, appointments to Group “D” posts across different railway zones were allegedly made in return for land parcels.
Investigators claim the appointments were secured through pressure exerted by the Railway Ministry at the time.
The agency has alleged that land parcels were transferred to members of the Yadav family or their associates as part of a quid pro quo, amounting to corruption and abuse of official position.
All the accused have denied the allegations, maintaining that the case is politically motivated.
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