RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court’s decision to frame criminal charges in the alleged Railways land-for-jobs scam. The High Court has issued notice to the CBI and will hear the matter next on March 17.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has challenged a trial court order directing the framing of charges against him in the alleged Railways land-for-jobs corruption case.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has approached the High Court seeking relief from the order passed earlier this year by a trial court which held that a prima facie case existed against him and several members of his family.
The matter was briefly heard by a single-judge Bench of Manoj Jain. After hearing the initial submissions, the court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to file its response to the plea and scheduled the next hearing for March 17.
The petition filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav challenges the trial court’s decision to frame charges against him in the alleged corruption case. Through the plea, he has requested the High Court to examine the legality of the order and grant appropriate relief.
Earlier in January, Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and several of his family members. The court held that the available material showed a prima facie case of corruption, cheating and criminal conspiracy against the accused persons.
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Among those named in the case are Lalu Prasad Yadav’s wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, his sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, as well as his daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav.
In its order, the trial court made strong observations regarding the alleged conduct of the accused. The court stated that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members appeared to be functioning as part of a “criminal enterprise”, allegedly using public employment opportunities in the Indian Railways as a means to secure valuable land and property.
According to the investigation conducted by the CBI, the alleged corruption took place between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was serving as the Union Railway Minister in the central government.
The agency has alleged that several parcels of land were transferred to members of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family and to a company linked to them. These properties were reportedly acquired at prices much lower than their market value. Investigators also claim that many of these transactions were conducted largely in cash.
The CBI further alleges that these land transfers were made in return for providing jobs in the Indian Railways to certain individuals across different railway zones, thereby forming the basis of the alleged land-for-jobs scam.
Despite these allegations, Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members have maintained their innocence. They have denied any wrongdoing and stated that they are ready to face the legal proceedings.
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Earlier, while appearing before the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue, both Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi pleaded not guilty to the charges of corruption, cheating and criminal conspiracy. They also informed the court that they would contest the case on merits during the trial.
The Delhi High Court will now consider Lalu Prasad Yadav’s challenge to the trial court order after receiving the response from the CBI. The case is scheduled to come up for further hearing on March 17.
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