The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday has escalated its investigation into the notorious land-for-job scam by filing a supplementary charge sheet before a Delhi court.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has escalated its investigation into the notorious land-for-job scam by filing a supplementary charge sheet before a Delhi court. This move marks a crucial phase in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding one of the most talked-about corruption cases in recent times.
On Wednesday, the CBI presented the supplementary charges against three individuals: two candidates, Ashok Kumar and Babita, along with Bhola Yadav, who served as the personal secretary to former Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. The filing was overseen by the CBI’s Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh before Special Judge Vishal Gogne, setting the stage for the next hearing scheduled for March 14, 2024.
The allegations center around a quid pro quo arrangement, where job positions within the Railways were purportedly offered in exchange for land, a scheme that reportedly took place during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as the Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. The supplementary chargesheet delves into the intricate details of this arrangement, highlighting the involvement of high-profile figures and the manipulation of official processes for personal gain.
Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, accompanied by Advocate Manu Mishra, pointed out the critical role of Bhola Yadav, stating,
“Bhola Yadav was the secretary of Lalu, he was the one who was managing and it was his directions that were going to the officers. Some of the documentary evidence were also retrieved from his computer.”
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This statement underscores the alleged orchestration behind the scenes, implicating Yadav as a key figure in the execution of the scam.
The backdrop of this case traces back to earlier actions by the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi, which, in 2023, issued summons against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and 14 others in connection to the land-for-job scam. The main chargesheet, filed by the CBI in October 2022, accused the former Bihar chief ministers and their daughter Misa Bharti, among others, of engaging individuals in railway jobs in return for land, acquired at rates significantly below market value.
The chargesheet elaborates,
“During investigation, it has been found that the accused in conspiracy with the then GM Central Railways and CPO, Central Railways engaged persons as substitutes in lieu of land either in their name or in the name of their close relatives.”
It further details the procedural anomalies and irregularities, such as the lack of urgency in appointments and discrepancies in candidate documentation, which should have disqualified the engagements from proceeding.
This supplementary chargesheet not only adds depth to the existing allegations but also brings to light new evidence and facets of the scandal. The CBI’s findings suggest a deliberate attempt to subvert standard hiring protocols, highlighting the candidates’ later-than-approved joining dates and irregularities in their medical examinations, which contradicted the terms of their engagement.
As the case progresses, the legal scrutiny intensifies, shedding light on the mechanisms of corruption that allegedly operated within the Railways under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s administration. The upcoming court hearing on March 14 promises to be a pivotal moment in this high-profile case, as the judiciary examines the supplementary evidence and arguments presented by the CBI. This ongoing saga not only captivates public interest but also underscores the broader challenges of combating corruption within India’s public sector.
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