New Delhi/Patna: Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi on Monday told a court in Delhi that they do not accept the corruption charges against them in the controversial “land for jobs” case, setting the stage for a full-fledged trial.
Appearing before the Rouse Avenue Court amid tight security, the two leaders were asked by the judge whether they admitted guilt. Both stated that they were innocent and would contest the allegations. After completing court formalities and signing relevant documents, they left the premises.
Lawyers for Lalu Prasad said the case was politically motivated and described it as an attempt to harass their client. The court will now proceed to record witness statements and examine documentary evidence.
The case, investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), relates to the period between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad served as railway minister. The agency alleges that Group D jobs in the railways were granted in exchange for land parcels that were transferred to members of his family or to companies linked to them at undervalued rates.
According to the CBI, around 1.05 lakh square feet of land in Patna was transferred to the Yadav family and associated entities. The agency claims that appointments were made without public advertisement and that established recruitment procedures were ignored. It further alleges that candidates were made to transfer land either at nominal prices or as “gifts” in exchange for employment.
The chargesheet also names Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who recently appeared before the same court. The investigating agency has alleged that multiple members of the family benefited from the alleged scheme.
The Yadav family has consistently dismissed the case as an “election stunt”, maintaining that the allegations are unfounded.
With the accused refusing to accept the charges, the matter will now proceed as a regular trial, with the court examining witnesses and scrutinising documents in detail. The case, which carries significant legal and political implications, is expected to draw sustained attention as proceedings move forward.
