Lalu Prasad Yadav and Family Face Charges in Railways Corruption Case

Court Charges Lalu Prasad Yadav and Family in Corruption Case

New Delhi: In a significant development for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav and his relatives, a Delhi court has officially charged them in connection with the alleged Railways land-for-jobs corruption scandal currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Special Judge Vishal Gogne from the Rouse Avenue Courts issued the ruling, determining that there is sufficient evidence to suggest corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy involving Lalu Prasad Yadav, his spouse Rabri Devi, their sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, along with several other individuals.

The court's decision allows the trial to proceed, with charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav being framed under Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as well as Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Family members have also been implicated in charges of cheating and conspiracy under the IPC.

In delivering the ruling, the Special Judge remarked that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family were functioning as a 'criminal enterprise' as part of a larger conspiracy, where public employment opportunities within the Indian Railways were allegedly misused to acquire real estate.

The court noted that the CBI's charge sheet indicates that close associates of Lalu Prasad Yadav played a role in securing land in exchange for jobs in the Railways across various regions.

The plea for discharge submitted by Lalu Yadav and his family was dismissed, with the court stating that it was 'completely unwarranted'.

Of the 98 accused still involved in the case, charges have been filed against 46 individuals, including Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, while 52 others have been released from the case.

It is important to note that proceedings against five accused have been halted due to their deaths. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 29.

This case revolves around allegations of extensive corruption that occurred between 2004 and 2009, during Lalu Prasad's tenure as Union Railway Minister.

The CBI claims that parcels of land were acquired under the names of Lalu's family members and a related company, often at prices below market value and primarily through cash transactions. In exchange, railway jobs were allegedly offered across different zones. Concurrently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a potential money laundering scheme associated with land transfers in Patna.