Will the Delhi Court Announce Charges Against Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav Tomorrow?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Delhi court will announce its ruling regarding charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and family members.
- The case revolves around serious allegations of corruption from 2004 to 2009.
- 103 individuals have been implicated in the ongoing investigation.
- The Enforcement Directorate is concurrently probing money-laundering aspects.
- The outcome could significantly impact public trust in politics.
New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) A Delhi court is poised to announce its decision on Friday regarding the framing of charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his relatives in the ongoing land-for-job corruption case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts is set to deliver the ruling on whether charges will be pressed against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his spouse Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, along with other individuals implicated in the case.
During the previous hearing, summons were issued to all accused, including Lalu’s family members, and they are anticipated to appear in court on Friday.
On December 19, Judge Vishal Gogne reserved his decision on whether charges should be framed against the accused under Sections 120B, 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), alongside the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 in relation to the alleged land-for-job corruption case.
The allegations involve claims of “extensive corruption” from 2004 to 2009, a period during which Lalu Prasad served as the Union Railway Minister.
The CBI asserts that parcels of land were acquired in the names of Lalu’s family members and a connected company, often at rates below market value and predominantly through cash transactions. In exchange, railway jobs were allegedly granted across various zones.
A total of 103 individuals have been named as accused in the case, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, ex-Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, MP Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, and former minister Tej Pratap Yadav.
However, proceedings against five accused have been halted following their deaths. The Union Home Ministry has already authorized the prosecution of Lalu Prasad in this matter.
In parallel, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the alleged money-laundering linked to land transfers in Patna.
In a related matter, the Delhi High Court recently issued a notice to the CBI in response to a petition from Tejashwi Yadav, challenging a trial court's order that mandated the framing of criminal charges against him and his family in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam.
In his petition, Tejashwi Yadav contests the order from the Rouse Avenue Court, which found adequate grounds to proceed against him and others for offences related to corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating concerning the IRCTC scam.