New Delhi, Jan 9 (NationPress) In a significant development for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, a Delhi court has officially framed charges against them in connection with the alleged Railways land-for-jobs corruption case currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Special Judge Vishal Gogne from the Rouse Avenue Courts issued the ruling, indicating that a prima facie case of corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy exists against Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his wife Rabri Devi, and children Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Misa Bharti, and Hema Yadav, as well as several other defendants.

The court's decision allows for the commencement of the trial, framing charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav under Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in addition to violations of Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Members of his family face similar charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy under the IPC.

In delivering the order, the Special Judge remarked that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family acted as a criminal enterprise engaged in a larger conspiracy, where public employment within the Indian Railways was allegedly utilized to secure immovable properties.

The court acknowledged that the charge sheet from the Central agency indicates that close associates of Lalu Prasad Yadav played a role in acquiring land in exchange for jobs in the Railways across multiple regions.

In denying the request for discharge, the court stated, "the plea of Mr Lalu Yadav and his family members to be discharged is completely unwarranted".

According to the court's ruling, out of the 98 remaining accused in the case, charges have been framed against 46 individuals, including Lalu Prasad Yadav and his relatives, while 52 others have been discharged.

It is important to note that proceedings against five accused have ceased due to their deaths. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 29.

The allegations revolve around claims of large-scale corruption occurring between 2004 and 2009, a period when Lalu Prasad served as the Union Railway Minister.

The CBI asserts that parcels of land were acquired under the names of Lalu's family members and a company associated with them, often at below-market rates and predominantly through cash transactions. In return, jobs with the railway were supposedly offered across various zones. Concurrently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating an alleged money laundering scheme linked to land transfers in Patna.