New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday, January 9 framed charges against former Union Minister for Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, former Bihar Ministers Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others in connection with alleged land for job scam case.
The Rouse Avenue Court on Friday framed the charges against accused persons in the case and said Lalu Yadav and family acted as a syndicate. The court stated that the material placed on record by the investigative agency was sufficient at this stage to proceed against the accused for their alleged role in the scam.
The court on Friday also discharged 52 accused persons out of the total 103 chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the case. Notably five of the accused person died during the court proceedings.
Special Judge (CBI) Vishal Gogne directed to frame charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, family members and other accused. The court directed the framing of charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, cheating, and conspiracy.
The court has listed the matter for formal framing of charges on January 29. The court on the next date will also record admission or denial of the charges by the accused persons.
While framing charges, the court said it found, on the touchstone of suspicion, an overarching conspiracy by Lalu Yadav and his family.
“Chargesheet strongly depicts the acquisition of the land in lieu of a job,” the Special Judge said.
On September 11, the court had reserved its order on framing of charges. It is alleged that jobs in the Railways were given in lieu of land. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) D P Singh had submitted that there is sufficient material to frame charges against the accused persons.
Appearing for Lalu Yadav, senior counsel, Maninder Singh however argued that the case is politically motivated. There is no evidence to show that jobs were given to candidates in lieu of land. There are sale deeds which show that lands were purchased for money.
This case pertains to alleged offence of providing Railway Grade D jobs to candidates in lieu of land. CBI had filed chargesheets against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and other accused persons.
(With inputs from ANI)
