New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday issued a schedule for the hearing of the CBI case in the land-for-jobs scam and directed the court to record the prosecution’s evidence on a daily basis starting March 9. The case pertains to the alleged crime of giving land in exchange for railway Grade D jobs.
Meanwhile, the court granted Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, and Tej Pratap Yadav exemption from personal appearance between February 1 and 25 for the formal framing of charges. The court directed them to inform the CBI a day before their scheduled appearance. They had sought exemption from personal appearance on Thursday. However, MPs Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav appeared in person and denied the charges leveled against them.
Special Judge (MP-MLA) Vishal Gogne listed the case for recording prosecution evidence after formally framing charges against the other accused.
On January 9, the court had directed the framing of charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Misa Bharti, and other accused in the land-for-jobs scam. While framing the charges, the court had observed, “Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family were acting like a gang.”
The court had discharged 52 accused, including senior police officers and railway officials. Five accused died during the proceedings. The CBI had filed a chargesheet against 103 accused.
The court framed charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act for conspiracy, cheating, and violation of the provisions of the Act. While framing the charges, the court had observed that it had found a larger conspiracy on the part of Lalu and his family based on the evidence. The special judge said, “The charge sheet clearly mentions land acquisition in exchange for jobs.” Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) D P Singh had stated that there was sufficient evidence to frame charges against the accused.
Lalu Yadav’s lawyer said:
During the arguments, senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, argued that the land-for-jobs case was politically motivated. There is no evidence to prove that candidates were given jobs in exchange for land. There are sale deeds showing that the land was purchased for monetary consideration.
Senior advocate Maninder Singh stated that no rules regarding appointments were violated and no jobs were given in exchange for land. It was also argued that former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had not recommended any candidate. No General Manager has stated that they ever met Lalu Prasad Yadav.
The senior advocate further argued that no case of corruption is made out as he did not recommend any candidate. Merely calling him the mastermind is not enough. There is no evidence against him. It was also argued that there is no evidence that any land was acquired without compensation. The land was purchased.
Earlier, during arguments on behalf of Rabri Devi, it was stated that Rabri Devi purchased the land and paid for it. Buying land with money is not a crime. No undue favor was shown to any of the accused candidates. These transactions are not interconnected.
The senior advocate said that the CBI has to prove corruption. The land that was sold was purchased for monetary consideration. He further stated that the applicants followed all the necessary procedures. Where is the corrupt practice? These acts are independent. None of the acts of the accused persons are interconnected.
