Delhi Court summons Lalu Prasad, sons & daughter in ₹200 crore land-for-jobs scam

A Delhi court has summoned former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, and daughter Hema Yadav in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs scam. Special Judge Vishal Gogne issued the summons after taking cognizance of the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The accused have been directed to appear before the court on March 11. The case involves alleged irregularities in railway job appointments between 2004 and 2009, during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as Union Railways Minister.

The CBI has named 78 accused, including 30 public servants, in the case. The agency alleges that several Group D positions in the West Central Railway Zone (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) were filled in exchange for land parcels transferred to Lalu Prasad’s family or close associates. Along with the Yadav family, the court has also summoned Prem Chand Gupta, a known associate of the former minister. A case was officially registered on May 18, 2022, naming Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, two daughters, and several unidentified public officials and private individuals.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been conducting a parallel investigation into the financial transactions linked to the case. According to ED findings, several job aspirants allegedly transferred land parcels to A K Infosystems Pvt Ltd and A B Exports Pvt Ltd, companies linked to the Yadav family. The ED claims that Rabri Devi and Hema Yadav personally acquired four land parcels from railway job applicants, purchasing them for Rs 7.5 lakh and later selling them for Rs 3.5 crore. The agency has described these companies as shell entities used to channel funds.

The investigation further alleges that land acquired through these transactions is now valued at over Rs 200 crore. The CBI has informed the court that necessary sanctions for prosecuting Lalu Prasad and other public servants involved have been obtained, while approvals for some remaining accused are pending. The probe also suggests that proceeds from the alleged scam were funneled into various business entities, including Bhagirathi Tubes, for laundering illicit earnings.

All accused have been asked to respond to the summons in the upcoming court hearing. The CBI and ED are continuing their investigations into the financial dealings and alleged misuse of public office. The case is being closely monitored, with further developments expected as legal proceedings progress.