In the land-for-job scam case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken a significant step by filing a chargesheet against Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Rabri Devi. The submission of the chargesheet to the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi marked a significant development in the lengthy case.
The land-for-jobs scandal dates back to 2004, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was Union Minister of Railways. Lalu Yadav and his family allegedly received land from individuals in exchange for providing them with railway employment, as per the CBI.
The CBI discovered during its investigation that seven individuals were hired by the railways after their families transferred land to Lalu Yadav’s family. The land was allegedly transferred at a price significantly below its market value, indicating the possibility of corruption.
The CBI has filed charges of criminal conspiracy, deception, and forgery against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejaswi Yadav, Rabri Devi, and fourteen others. The case is now scheduled for a hearing on July 12, at which point legal proceedings will continue.
The timing of the indictment is noteworthy, as it coincides with rumours regarding Nitish Kumar’s prospective return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Nitish Kumar quit the NDA in 2017 after Lalu Yadav was indicted by the CBI for his role in the fodder scam.
However, both the state leadership of the BJP and Bihar’s governing coalition partners have rejected Kumar’s return to the NDA.
Lalu Yadav has been involved in multiple instances of corruption, including the land-for-jobs scandal. Accusations regarding the fodder fraud, the railway scam, and the IRCTC scam have been added to his extensive list of legal battles.
Lalu Yadav, a controversial political figure in India, is popular within the Yadav community. Throughout his tenure, he has faced persistent allegations of corruption and nepotism. The recent indictment in the land-for-jobs case will present obstacles to his political career.
Uncertain is the effect of the chargesheet on Lalu Yadav’s political career. However, this is likely to exacerbate his problems and make his return to power more challenging.
