By Sanjay Raman Sinha
In a move that surprised few, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court recently took cognizance of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) final charge sheet in the case. The court issued summons to all accused, including former Union rail minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his daughter Hema Yadav and son Tej Pratap Yadav, ordering them to appear on March 11. In total, the CBI has filed a final charge sheet against 78 individuals, including Lalu’s former secretary Bhola Yadav and former Union Minister Premchand Gupta.
Notably, this development came just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Bhagalpur rally, attacked the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), reviving the “jungle raj” rhetoric against the party.
The Alleged Scam: Land In Exchange For Railway Jobs
The case dates back to Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister (2004-2009), during which he allegedly accepted land at throwaway prices in exchange for securing jobs in the Indian Railways. The CBI claims Lalu used his influence to appoint individuals whose families transferred land to him or his relatives.
Key allegations include:
- Job aspirants or their families transferred land parcels to Lalu’s family.
- Appointments were made in railway zones across Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hajipur.
- Three land parcels in Patna were allegedly transferred in return for Group D railway jobs.
- Documents submitted by those appointed had inconsistencies, including sequential roll numbers on caste and residence certificates, suggesting they were arranged solely for job eligibility.
The first charge sheet named Lalu, his wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti, and 13 others. A supplementary charge sheet later added his son Tejashwi Yadav. The final charge sheet now lists Lalu Yadav and 77 others, including 30 public servants and 38 job candidates. Sanction for prosecution has been granted against 30 accused individuals so far.
Enforcement Directorate’s Parallel Probe
Alongside the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating financial irregularities related to the case. The ED alleges that multiple layers of companies were created to obscure property transactions. Bhola Yadav, a close aide of Lalu, has been identified as a key facilitator in these dealings.
One significant claim by the ED is that properties linked to Lalu’s family were falsely presented as gifts from distant relatives. Notably, Misa Bharti, when questioned, reportedly denied knowing some of these so-called relatives.
Political Reactions And Implications
The RJD has strongly criticized the case, calling it an act of political vendetta aimed at weakening the Opposition ahead of elections. With Lalu Yadav no stranger to legal battles, the timing of the case’s revival fuels speculation.
For Lalu and his family, this is familiar territory. However, with the Bihar elections looming and his son Tejashwi Yadav’s political future at stake, the legal battle is more than just a personal fight—it’s a high-stakes political gamble.
Lalu Yadav: Case Diary
1. Chaibasa Treasury Case (first conviction)
Date of Conviction: September 30, 2013
The case relates to the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 37.7 crore from the Chaibasa treasury during 1994-1995. Lalu Prasad Yadav was sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs 25 lakh.
2. Deoghar Treasury Case (second conviction)
Date of Conviction: December 23, 2017
The case involves embezzlement of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar treasury between 1990 and 1994. Lalu received a sentence of three-and-a-half years and a fine of Rs10 lakh.
3. Fodder Scam: This scam involved the embezzlement of around Rs 940 crore from the government treasury of Bihar. Lalu was convicted by a special CBI court on December 23, 2017.
4. Chaibasa Treasury Case (third conviction)
Date of Conviction: January 24, 2018
The case involved the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 33.13 crore from the Chaibasa treasury. Lalu Prasad Yadav was sentenced to five years in prison.
5. Dumka Treasury Case (fourth conviction)
Date of Conviction: March 19, 2018
The case relates to the illegal withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from the Dumka treasury. Lalu was sentenced to seven years under the Indian Penal Code and an additional seven years under the Prevention of Corruption Act, served concurrently, along with a fine of Rs 60 lakh.
6. Doranda Treasury Case (fifth conviction)
Date of Conviction: February 15, 2022.
The case involved the embezzlement of Rs 139.35 crore from the Doranda treasury. Lalu was sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs 60 lakh.
7. Disproportionate Assets Case: Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi faced a disproportionate assets case in 1998, related to the fodder scam. They were made co-accused in the charge sheet in April 2000 and surrendered. While Rabri Devi got bail due to her chief minister status, Lalu was jailed for 11 days. They were acquitted in 2006, and the Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that the Bihar government couldn’t appeal the acquittal .
8. Land-for-Jobs Scam: Lalu has been accused of accepting land at cheap rates in exchange for jobs in the Railways during his tenure as railway minister. The CBI has filed a charge sheet against him, and the case is currently ongoing.