New Delhi, March 24: In a significant setback for Lalu Prasad Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Delhi High Court has rejected his plea to dismiss the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case against him in the Land-for-Job matter. The court denied the request on Tuesday, stating that the arguments presented were insufficient to warrant the dismissal of the case.
Lalu Prasad Yadav had argued in court that the CBI had not obtained the necessary approval to prosecute him, and therefore, the entire case should be quashed. However, the High Court dismissed this argument, asserting that it lacked merit.
The court clarified that the arguments put forth were not adequate to dismiss the case, allowing the ongoing legal proceedings against Yadav to continue.
The ‘Land-for-Job’ case pertains to allegations that during his tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, Lalu Prasad Yadav misused his position to appoint individuals in the railways in exchange for land parcels transferred to his family members or associated entities.
According to the CBI, candidates or their relatives allegedly transferred land at prices below market rates in exchange for jobs in various railway zones. Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members have denied these allegations, claiming their innocence and stating they will contest the matter based on its merits.
Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also investigating the case. The ED has accused Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and son Tejashwi Yadav, among others, of money laundering, asserting that they have substantial evidence to support the charges.
The ED claims that during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister, land was acquired from individuals in exchange for Group D jobs, often registered under the name of AK Infosystems rather than directly under the Yadav family. AK Infosystems is owned by Amit Katyal, considered a close associate of Lalu and Tejashwi Yadav. In 2014, all rights and assets of this company were transferred to Rabri Devi and Misa Bharti.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
