NEW DELHI: The Rouse Avenue Court on Monday formally framed charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi in the Land-for-Job CBI case. Lalu Prasadand Rabri Devi appeared before the court, denied the charges, and said they would face trial. The case relates to the alleged offence of providing Railway Group D jobs to candidates in exchange for land. Special Judge Vishal Gogne framed the charges against the couple and noted that the accused must appear in person unless allowed to attend via video conferencing. Misa Bharti said, “The court has asked them to appear through video conferencing in view of their age and health.” On January 9, the Rouse Avenue Court had directed the framing of charges against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Misa Bharti, and other accused in the Land-for-Job scam case. While directing the charges, the court had observed, “Prima facie, there was a conspiracy mentored by Lalu Prasad to use government jobs as a means for getting immovable property through his family members from willing job seekers.” It had also stated, “Lalu Prasad and family acted as a syndicate.” The court discharged 52 accused, including Chief Personnel Officers (CPOs) and Railway officials, while five accused died during the proceedings. The CBI had charge-sheeted 103 individuals. Charges were framed for criminal conspiracy, cheating, and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Special Judge noted, “Chargesheet strongly depicts the acquisition of the land in lieu of a job.” During arguments, senior counsel Maninder Singh, representing Lalu Prasad, claimed the case is politically motivated. He said, “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.” He added, “There was no recommendation by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad for any candidate. No General Manager has stated that he ever met Lalu Prasad. No evidence indicates that any land was taken without compensation. The land was purchased.” Earlier, during arguments for Rabri Devi, it was submitted, “Rabri Devi purchased land and paid money for it. Buying land for money is not a crime. No favour was given to any accused candidate. These transactions are not connected.” The Special Judge directed the framing of common charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, Tejaswi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Bhola Yadav, R.K. Mahajan, and Prem Chand Gupta. The court added, “The court finds, on the touchstone of grave suspicion, that there existed an overarching criminal conspiracy, mentored by Mr. Lalu Yadav, towards using public employment as a bargaining chip for receiving immovable properties through his wife Rabri Devi, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Prasadas well as sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav from willing job seekers.” The CBI registered the case on May 18, 2022, filing two charge sheets and two supplementary charge sheets. It is alleged that Group D Railway jobs were given in exchange for land parcels. The court observed, “Several accused General Managers of the Indian Railways emerge prima facie as having made these appointments by abuse of their discretion to engage Group D substitutes in the Railways.” However, it noted that the accused CPOs did not have the authority to appoint substitutes and were not influenced by the Railway Minister. “All accused Chief Personnel Officers are liable to be discharged,” the court ordered.
