Rouse Avenue Court Summons Lalu Yadav and 77 Others in Land-for-Job Case
In a significant development in the land-for-job scam, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has summoned former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and 77 other accused, including his family members and former associates. The court, on Tuesday, took cognizance of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charge sheets and directed all accused to appear on March 11, 2025.
Details of the Summons
The summons were issued by Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne, who ruled that the trial would be conducted jointly for all three charge sheets filed in the case. The court also ordered that copies of the charge sheets be provided to the accused.
Among those summoned are:
- Lalu Prasad Yadav (former Railway Minister and ex-Bihar CM)
- Tej Pratap Yadav (Lalu Yadav’s son and Bihar’s former Health Minister)
- Hema Yadav (Lalu Yadav’s daughter)
- Bhola Yadav (former aide of Lalu Yadav)
- Prem Chand Gupta (ex-Union Minister)
- 30 public servants and 38 job candidates involved in the case
CBI’s Investigation and Charge Sheets
The land-for-job scam dates back to Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister (2004–2009), during which he allegedly provided railway jobs in exchange for land parcels. The CBI’s investigation led to multiple charge sheets detailing how job seekers were reportedly coerced into transferring land to Lalu Yadav’s family members or associates in return for employment in the Indian Railways.
The latest charge sheet filed by the CBI is described as “conclusive”, meaning it consolidates all findings and allegations against the accused. The CBI claims that the land transfers were undervalued and often made through shell entities to conceal the fraudulent transactions.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The case has serious legal and political implications, particularly for Lalu Yadav and his Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party, which is a key player in Bihar’s political landscape. With general elections approaching, the case could impact the party’s prospects and alliances.
Additionally, the summoning of Tej Pratap Yadav and Hema Yadav indicates that the court is scrutinizing the alleged involvement of Lalu Yadav’s family members. If convicted, Lalu Yadav—who has previously served jail time in the fodder scam—could face further legal troubles.
Conclusion
The Rouse Avenue Court’s decision to summon 78 accused, including Lalu Yadav and his family, marks a crucial step in the legal proceedings of the land-for-job scam. With the trial set to proceed jointly for all charge sheets, the case will likely remain a focal point of political and legal discourse in the coming months. The court hearing on March 11, 2025, will be a decisive moment in determining the future course of action against the accused.
