New Delhi, 09 January (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi paved the way Friday for framing charges against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and other accused in the CBI's Land-for-Jobs corruption case, with Special Judge Vishal Gogne issuing directives to proceed despite prior procedural delays.

During proceedings, the CBI had submitted verification reports for all accused on December 19, 2025, disclosing 103 total accused with five deceased; the court had twice deferred rulings on charge framing—on December 4 and November 10, 2025—before reserving its decision on August 25 last year.

Rabri Devi, a co-accused and former Chief Minister, sought transfer from Gogne's court via petition to Principal and District Judge Dinesh Bhatt, who dismissed it on December 19, ensuring continuity.

Legal Timeline and Supreme Court Stance

The Supreme Court rejected a stay on trial court proceedings on July 18, 2025, following CBI's October 7, 2022, chargesheet naming Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, and 13 others for allegedly exchanging railway jobs in Bihar for land transfers during Lalu's tenure from 1997-2004.

Trial court took cognizance of the chargesheet on February 25, 2025, marking a pivotal step toward substantive hearings in this long-running scam implicating the Yadav family and associates.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar