A Delhi court has granted bail to former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and ex-Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, their daughter and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Misa Bharti, and other accused in the "land-for-job" case on Wednesday. The court noted that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed the chargesheet without making any arrests and directed every accused to furnish a personal bail bond of Rs 50,000 and a like amount of surety.
The CBI did not oppose the bail plea and the court posted the matter for further proceedings on March 29.
The case involves allegations of corruption and bribery related to the appointment of over 300 people to the Indian Railways in exchange for prime land in Bihar. Yadav, who was the Railway Minister at the time, and his family members were accused of accepting bribes in return for these appointments.
A video published by ANI earlier today showed Yadav and Rabri Devi, the former Bihar CMs, arriving at the Rouse Avenue Court with their daughter around 11. Yadav, 74, who underwent a kidney transplant recently, was seen in a wheelchair surrounded by reporters.
#WATCH | Delhi: Former Bihar CMs Lalu Prasad Yadav-Rabri Devi and their daughter & RJD MP Misa Bharti arrive at Rouse Avenue Court, in connection with land-for-job case. pic.twitter.com/Ypp0RkYV4H
— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2023
Special Judge Geetanjali Goel issued a summons to the accused persons on February 27, directing them to appear before the court on March 15.
Scuffle breaks out between RJD-BJP MLAs in Bihar
Following the news of bail being granted to Yadav and the other accused, a scuffle broke out between RJD and BJP MLAs, who were protesting outside the Bihar state assembly. A video posted by ANI shows the two sides arguing after an RJD MLA offered the BJP MLAs sweets to celebrate the bail granted to Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti and others.
#WATCH | Bihar: RJD & BJP MLAs enter into a scuffle at the state assembly after am RJD MLA offered the BJP MLAs sweets following the bail to Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharati in land-for-job case.
BJP MLAs were protesting against Govt while RJD MLAs were distributing sweets. pic.twitter.com/JqOp7pz1rk— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2023
BJP MLAs alleged that those from the RJD forcefully tried to feed them ladoos while distributing them. Visuals from the legislative building show ladoos being thrown around and falling on seated politicians.
#WATCH | Bihar: RJD & BJP MLAs enter into a scuffle with each other over distribution of laddus at Assembly premises following the bail granted to Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi & Misa Bharti in land-for-job case.BJP alleges that RJD MLAs tried to forcefully feed them & disturbed them pic.twitter.com/Fw3PVCZh8N
— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2023
Speaking to media outside the Parliament, BJP MP Sushil Modi also commented on the event saying that the CBI had "strong evidence" on the accused.
He said, "CBI has strong evidence based upon which this investigation is taking place. Now neither Nitish Kumar nor anyone can save the Lalu family. More people will be produced soon. The investigation is done on the basis of JDU's evidence."
About the chargesheet
The charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on October 10, 2022, was for offences of criminal conspiracy and corruption against 16 accused persons, including former general manager of Central Railway Sowmya Raghavan, former CPO Railways Kamal Deep Mainrai, seven aspirants appointed as substitutes and four private individuals.
In July 2022, the CBI also arrested Bhola Yadav, the officer on special duty to Yadav when he was the railway minister.
The case was registered pursuant to the outcome of a preliminary inquiry against Yadav and others.
The CBI has filed a charge sheet alleging irregular appointments made in the railways, violating the laid-down norms and procedures of Indian Railways for recruitment.
The charge sheet has taken cognizance of offences under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), read with sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using a forged document as genuine) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI also alleged that candidates, either directly or through their immediate relatives and family members, sold land to family members of Yadav, at highly discounted rates up to one-fifth of the prevailing market rates.
It was alleged in the FIR that some people, although residents of Patna in Bihar, were appointed as substitutes in Group-D posts during the period 2004-2009 in different zones of the railways located in Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Hajipur.
In return, the individuals themselves or their family members transferred their land in the name of the family members of Yadav and a company, AK Infosystems Private Limited, which was subsequently taken over by the family members of Yadav.
The CBI had alleged that about 1,05,292 square feet of land situated in Patna was acquired by the family members of Yadav from those persons through five sale deeds and two gift deeds. The value of the land as per the existing circle rate was about Rs 4.39 crore.
The land was directly purchased by the family members of Yadav from the sellers at a rate lower than the prevalent circle rate, the CBI said, adding that the prevalent market value of the land was much higher than the circle rate.
The CBI alleged that the due procedure and guidelines issued by the railway authority for the appointment of substitutes were not followed, and later on, their services were also regularised. The court is expected to proceed with the case on Wednesday.
First Published: Mar 15, 2023 10:04 AM IST
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