Delhi Court Defers Order on Framing Charges Against Lalu Yadav, Others in Land-for-Job Scam

New Delhi, December 4, 2025 – A Delhi court has deferred its order on the framing of charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members, and other accused in the alleged land-for-job scam. Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court was expected to pronounce the order on Thursday but has postponed the decision.

The case, filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleges that during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, appointments were made to Group D positions in the West Central Railway Zone in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, in exchange for land parcels. The CBI claims that these land parcels were either gifted or sold at very low prices by the recruits to members of Yadav's family or close associates.

The prosecution argues that these appointments were made in violation of established norms and procedures and that the transactions involved benami properties, constituting criminal misconduct and conspiracy. The CBI has filed chargesheets against Lalu Yadav, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, their son and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, and others in connection with the alleged scam.

According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Rabri Devi and Hema Yadav allegedly acquired four land parcels from job applicants and later sold them for ₹3.5 crore, a significantly higher amount than the acquisition cost of ₹7.5 lakh. The ED alleges that these funds were then funneled into other entities. The agency estimates that the Yadav family amassed land parcels worth over ₹200 crore through this scheme.

The defense has vehemently denied the charges, asserting that the case is politically motivated and lacks evidence. Maninder Singh, Lalu Yadav's senior counsel, argued that there is no evidence to suggest that jobs were given in exchange for land.

The court has now directed the CBI to verify the current status of all the accused, as some of them have died during the investigation. The CBI has been asked to file a status report, and the next hearing is scheduled for December 8.

In February, the Delhi court had summoned Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tej Pratap Yadav, and daughter Hema Yadav in connection with the case, with a scheduled court appearance on March 11. The court had earlier granted bail to Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in the case.

The Delhi High Court had earlier dismissed a plea by Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking to quash the FIR, chargesheets, and the cognizance taken by the trial court in the case. The Supreme Court had also refused to stay the trial court's proceedings against Lalu Prasad Yadav in relation to the land-for-jobs scam.

The deferral of the order on framing charges provides temporary relief to the Yadav family. The court's decision on December 8 will be crucial in determining whether the case proceeds to trial.