Delhi court clears way for charges against Lalu Yadav, family in ‘land-for-job’ scam

A Delhi court on Friday ordered the framing of charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members and several others in the alleged land-for-job scam, paving the way for a full-fledged trial in the high-profile corruption case.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne held that there was sufficient material to presume an “overarching conspiracy”, observing that Lalu Yadav and his associates allegedly misused public employment in the Indian Railways as a bargaining tool to acquire land parcels in the names of family members and close aides.

Rejecting pleas seeking discharge, the court said the accused were “operating as a criminal enterprise” and that the allegations disclosed grave suspicion of corruption, cheating and criminal conspiracy under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other provisions.

The court noted that appointments to Group-D posts in various railway zones during Yadav’s tenure as railway minister between 2004 and 2009 were allegedly made in violation of norms, in return for land transferred at below-market rates or through benami arrangements.

Out of 98 surviving accused named in the case, charges have been framed against 41, while 52 have been discharged. The matter has been posted for formal framing of charges later this month, with a detailed order awaited.