A Delhi court has postponed its decision on whether to take cognizance of the CBI chargesheet filed against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in the alleged land-for-jobs scam. The order, initially expected on Friday, has been deferred to February 17, as the court requested further clarifications from the CBI regarding the charges outlined in the final report.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne, overseeing the proceedings, sought additional information from the CBI concerning the commonalities and distinctions in the allegations recorded against the accused, which include high-profile figures and public servants. This comes after the CBI disclosed on January 30 that it had secured the necessary sanctions to prosecute all individuals implicated in the chargesheet, including R.K. Mahajan, a notable public servant.
The controversy centers on accusations that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as the Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, jobs in the West Central Zone of the Railways, based in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, were allegedly offered in exchange for land parcels. These lands were reportedly gifted or transferred to members of Yadav’s family or his associates by the recruits.
This case, which has attracted significant public and media attention, was formally registered by the CBI on May 18, 2022. It involves not only the former minister but also his wife, two daughters, and several unidentified public officials and private individuals.
