The BRICS TimesDelhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has completed hearings in the ‘Land-for-Job’ case involving Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tejashwi Yadav, and others. The verdict will be announced on October 13. The CBI alleged widespread corruption in the matter, claiming that except for a few sale deeds, most land transactions were carried out in cash.
Court Completes Hearing in Land-for-Job Case
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has concluded hearings in the high-profile land-for-job case involving former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tejashwi Yadav, and several others. The court has reserved its decision and fixed October 13 as the date to pronounce the verdict.
Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne had earlier instructed both parties to submit their written arguments. Responding to Lalu Yadav’s defense, the CBI questioned the need for the then Chief Minister to accept gifts. The agency stated, “It is strange that those with no financial means, the poor, were offering gifts to the Chief Minister.”
CBI Highlights Corruption and Cash Transactions
The Central Bureau of Investigation alleged large-scale corruption in the scheme. According to the agency, with the exception of a few sale deeds, almost all land transactions were conducted in cash. During the hearings, the CBI informed the court that under pressure from then Railway Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Group-D jobs were offered to individuals who were so unqualified that many could not even write their own names.
Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh told the court that between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad served as Railway Minister, candidates who received jobs largely belonged to extremely poor sections of Bihar. He added that the documents submitted by these candidates were issued by fake schools created solely for this purpose.
Recruitment Process Bypassed, Land Linked to Tejashwi Yadav
The CBI pointed out that while the normal recruitment process typically takes several months, these appointments were approved within a single day, without any examination. The agency also presented a chart in court detailing the lands transferred in the name of Bihar’s former Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi Yadav.
The agency argued that land with a market value of ₹85,000 was sold for just ₹50,000. It further alleged that most of the job beneficiaries were residents of Patna. Either they or their relatives transferred their lands to members of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family or to a private company under their control, which then facilitated the property transfers.
