A Delhi court has ordered the framing of charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister, his family members, and others in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs scam. Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue court stated that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family acted as a "criminal syndicate" and were part of an "overarching conspiracy". The court found, based on the CBI's final report, grave suspicion of Yadav using public employment as a bargaining tool to acquire land for his family.

The case, investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), involves allegations that between 2004 and 2009, during Yadav's tenure as the Union Minister for Railways, appointments to Group D posts in various railway zones were made in exchange for land parcels transferred to Yadav's family members. The CBI alleges that these appointments violated established railway recruitment norms, with no advertisements or public notices issued for the positions. The agency claims that individuals, or their family members, who received the jobs transferred land to Yadav, his family, and a private company they controlled. The company was allegedly involved in transferring properties to the Yadav family.

The court has framed charges against 41 individuals and discharged 52, including railway officials and substitutes who did not transfer their land. The charges include corruption and criminal conspiracy. Those against whom charges have been framed include Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, their children Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and Misa Bharti, and 42 others.

The court rejected discharge pleas filed by Yadav and his family, deeming them unwarranted. It observed that close associates facilitated the alleged conspiracy and that Yadav used the railway ministry as his "personal fiefdom" to carry out a criminal enterprise. The judge highlighted the "abuse of decision" by railway officials.

The matter has been posted for formal framing of charges on January 23, 2026.

In related developments, the Delhi High Court had previously dismissed a plea by Yadav seeking to quash the FIR, chargesheets, and the trial court's cognizance of the case. The Supreme Court had also refused to stay the trial court proceedings against Yadav in the land-for-jobs scam.