New Delhi, Feb 9 (NationPress) Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, asserted his innocence on Monday regarding the alleged corruption case involving Railways land-for-jobs, which is under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He expressed his intention to confront the trial head-on.

During his appearance at the Special CBI Court located at Rouse Avenue, Tejashwi Yadav declared a not guilty plea concerning accusations of corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy, choosing to challenge the charges based on their merits.

Previously, on January 29, the trial court had authorized leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Tej Pratap Yadav to appear before the court between February 1 and February 25 for the formal framing of charges in this land-for-jobs case.

The court instructed the accused to be present with a minimum of one day's notice and scheduled the trial to commence on March 9.

In an earlier ruling in January, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court officially framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, indicating that they were operating as a criminal enterprise and were involved in a wider conspiracy that exploited public employment in the Indian Railways as a means to acquire immovable properties.

The court observed that the CBI’s chargesheet provided prima facie evidence that close associates of Lalu Prasad Yadav facilitated the acquisition of land in exchange for jobs within the Railways across various regions.

Rejecting a plea for discharge, the court stated that the request from Lalu Yadav and his family was entirely unwarranted.

As per the court's directives, charges have been framed against 46 of the 98 remaining accused in the case, including Lalu Prasad Yadav and his relatives, while 52 individuals have been discharged.

It is also significant to note that proceedings against five accused have been terminated due to their deaths.

The case involves allegations of massive corruption occurring between 2004 and 2009, a period when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as Union Railway Minister.

The CBI alleges that parcels of land were acquired under the names of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family and a related company, often at prices below market value and primarily through cash transactions. In return, jobs within the Railways were allegedly offered across various zones.

Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the suspected money laundering activities associated with land transfers in Patna.