Shillong, October 4: In a recent development, a Delhi court has granted bail to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad, along with his son and wife, in connection with an alleged land-for-job scam.
As per IANS, the court’s decision came on September 22 when it acknowledged a fresh charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Lalu Prasad and other individuals, including his son and wife. Notably, the CBI did not oppose the bail application.
Additional Sessions Judge Geetanjali Goel of the Rouse Avenue Court presided over the case and approved bail for the Yadav family.
Earlier, the CBI had informed Judge Goel that the necessary sanctions had been obtained against three other accused individuals – Maheep Kapur, Manoj Pande, and P.L. Bankar – involved in the case. On September 12, it was reported that sanctions to prosecute Lalu Prasad had been secured from the Home Ministry as part of the fresh charge sheet.
Judge Goel had previously issued summonses to all the accused parties.
The CBI had initiated the case on May 18, 2022, naming Lalu Prasad and 15 others, including his wife, two daughters, as well as unidentified public servants and private individuals.
As part of its money laundering investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had revealed in July that assets exceeding Rs 6 crore belonging to Lalu Prasad’s family, including his wife Rabri Devi and daughter Misa Bharti, and associated companies had been attached.
The CBI, on July 3, had filed a charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and their son, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.
The case revolves around the period from 2004 to 2009 when Lalu Prasad, then serving as the Railway Minister, allegedly obtained benefits by transferring landed property to his family members in exchange for appointing substitutes to Group ‘D’ posts in various Railway Zones. The CBI alleges that this was done without issuing any public notices or advertisements for such appointments.
In continuation of this alleged scheme, land and immovable properties in Patna were acquired by Lalu Prasad and his family members through sales and gift deeds, with cash payments made to the sellers, according to the CBI.
The CBI had filed the initial charge sheet in the case on October 10, 2022, against 16 individuals, including Rabri Devi and her daughter, following the receipt of prosecution sanctions.