New Delhi: A Delhi trial court has framed criminal charges including corruption and conspiracy against Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, their children Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and Misa Bharti, along with other associates, in connection with the alleged railway land-for-jobs scam. The court observed that there is sufficient evidence indicating that the accused acted in concert as part of a larger conspiracy.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne noted that public employment was allegedly used as leverage to obtain land parcels for the Yadav family and their associates. The court found that the prosecution had presented adequate material to move forward with framing charges, rejecting the defence’s plea for discharge.
The case relates to allegations that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, appointments to Group-D posts in the Indian Railways were made without proper adherence to norms. In return, candidates or their relatives are alleged to have transferred land parcels to members of the Yadav family and their associates at discounted rates.
The court discharged 52 of the 103 accused named in the case, including several railway officials, while framing charges against 41 others who were considered sufficiently linked to the conspiracy. This development moves the case closer to trial, with formal proceedings expected to continue in the coming weeks.
The accused have denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated, and are expected to contest the charges during the trial.
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