New Delhi: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has summoned former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tej Pratap Yadav, daughter Hema Yadav, and 75 others in connection with the alleged land-for-job scam. Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne has directed all the accused to appear before the court on March 11.
The summons follow the court’s cognizance of three charge sheets filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the case. The final charge sheet names Lalu Yadav and 77 others, prompting the court to conduct a joint trial for all three charge sheets. It has also ordered that copies of the charge sheets be provided to all accused individuals.
Among the accused are 30 public servants and 38 candidates, with the charge sheets including additional names such as Bhola Yadav and Prem Chand Gupta. Notably, Lalu Yadav’s son Tej Pratap and daughter Hema Yadav have been named in the third charge sheet.
The CBI alleges that during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, he facilitated the land-for-jobs scam. The investigation claims that Lalu appointed 12 individuals from Patna to Group D positions in exchange for land. The land was allegedly registered in the names of Lalu’s wife, Rabri Devi, and his daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav. These plots were purchased at significantly low prices and paid for in cash.
The CBI further claims that the railway jobs were filled without any formal advertisements or notifications, with appointments being made within just three days of receiving the applicants’ documents.
