Bihar Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, asserted his innocence in the Railways land-for-jobs corruption case investigated by the CBI. He appeared before the Special CBI Court and denied allegations of corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy, choosing to face trial based on merits. The trial court had previously permitted RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Tej Pratap Yadav to attend court proceedings for the formal framing of charges between February 1 and February 25.
The court set March 9 as the trial commencement date after directing the accused to be present with prior notice of at least one day. Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court had earlier framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, stating that they were part of a broader conspiracy involving public employment in the Railways for acquiring immovable properties. The court found that associates of Lalu Prasad Yadav facilitated land acquisition in exchange for railway jobs across different regions of the country.
Charges have been framed against 46 out of 98 surviving accused in the case, including Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, while 52 accused have been discharged. The case dates back to alleged corruption between 2004 and 2009 during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as the Union Railway Minister. The CBI alleges that land was acquired in the names of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family members and a related company at rates below market value, with railway jobs granted in return across various zones. The Enforcement Directorate is concurrently investigating the money laundering aspects related to land transfers in Patna.
