CBI files chargesheet against Lalu, Rabri, daughters in land-for-job case
On Friday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, and daughter Misa Bharti, along with 16 others, in connection with the “land for job” case. The chargesheet includes allegations that Lalu Prasad and his family accepted land in exchange for providing jobs within the Indian Railways.
The accused also comprise two senior railway officials and individuals who benefited from the “irregular” employment. The case revolves around claims that Lalu Prasad and his family acquired land to facilitate employment opportunities in the Indian Railways.
In May of the current year, the CBI initiated a fresh case of corruption against Lalu and his family, naming 16 individuals, including Lalu, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, and others, in the FIR. Those charged on Friday include officials like Sowmya Raghvan and Kamal Deep Mainrai from the Railways, alleged beneficiaries appointed as railway substitutes, and purported middlemen.
The investigation revealed a conspiracy where, in collaboration with senior railway officials, individuals were engaged as substitutes in exchange for land, acquired at prices below the circle rate and market rate. It is alleged that candidates submitted false documents to the Ministry of Railways, using false Transfer Certificates.
In August, the CBI conducted search operations at 17 locations linked to Lalu and his family, including Misa Bharti. The case is based on accusations that Lalu accepted land as bribes to secure jobs for individuals during his tenure as the railways minister in the UPA government.
The CBI contends that 12 people from Patna were appointed to Group D posts in the Indian Railways, and in return, Lalu’s family received seven plots of land in Patna and other locations at a significantly lower value. The agency claims that Lalu’s family acquired over 1 lakh sq ft of land for a meager Rs 26 lakh, whereas the cumulative value, based on the circle rate, exceeded Rs 4.39 crore.
This investigation, initiated in September of the previous year, saw further developments in August when the CBI raided locations associated with RJD leaders and, during the trust vote in the Bihar Assembly, searched premises linked to Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. In 2018, the CBI had previously charged Lalu, Rabri, and Tejashwi in the IRCTC case, alleging favoritism in awarding contracts for two IRCTC hotels during Lalu’s tenure as railways minister.
