CBI Seeks Time to Respond in Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Land-for-Jobs Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has requested additional time to file a reply regarding the applications filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav and other accused individuals seeking a supply of documents in the alleged land-for-jobs case. The counsel for the CBI stated that the previous Investigating Officer (IO) has been transferred, necessitating the extension.

In response to the submission, CBI Special Judge Vivek Gogne listed the matter for January 15 and directed both IOs to appear before the court. The court emphasized the need for expediting the case in light of the directive from the Delhi High Court and declared that no further adjournments would be granted.

The Rouse Avenue court had earlier sought a reply from the CBI on December 20, 2023, based on an application from accused individuals, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejaswi Yadav. They had sought a supply of documents filed along with the charge sheet in the land-for-jobs scam case. The case is currently at the stage of scrutinizing documents after the charge sheet was filed.

On October 4, 2023, the court granted bail to former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Rabri Devi, and others in relation to a fresh charge sheet in the alleged land-for-job scam case.

This case, which involves allegations of a land-for-jobs scam, is now at the center of the second charge sheet filed by the CBI in the designated court. Seventeen individuals, including the then Union Minister of Railways, his wife, son, GM of West Central Railways, and two Chief Personnel Officers of WCR, are accused in the case.

The CBI registered the case on May 18, 2022, alleging that the former Union Minister of Railways, during the period 2004-2009, obtained pecuniary advantages through the transfer of landed property in the name of his family members. The alleged scheme involved the appointment of substitutes in Group ‘D’ posts in different railway zones.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused, with the intent to acquire land parcels connected to him, entered into a conspiracy with associates and family members. They allegedly manipulated the appointment process, offering group ‘D’ employment in Railways in exchange for land.

The investigation further exposed the alleged purchase of a land parcel in the name of a private company at Rs 10.83 lakh in 2007. Subsequently, the land, along with other parcels, was transferred to the ownership of the wife and son of the former Union Minister of Railways through the transfer of shares at a nominal value.

The chargesheet filed on October 7, 2022, against 16 accused marked the initial stages of the case. The ongoing investigation continues to unravel the complexities of the alleged land-for-jobs scam. The court remains focused on expediting the proceedings in line with the high court’s directive.”