‘Railways used as personal fiefdom’: Court charges Lalu Prasad Yadav, family in land-for-jobs case
A Delhi court on Friday (January 9, 2026) framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their children — Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and Misa Bharti — in the alleged land-for-jobs corruption case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Passing the order, Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court made sharp observations, stating that there existed an “overarching conspiracy” involving Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, where public employment was allegedly used as a bargaining chip to obtain valuable land parcels.
“It appears that the Ministry of Railways was used as a personal fiefdom by Lalu Yadav,” the court observed, noting that the charge sheets indicate that close associates acted as co-conspirators, facilitating the transfer of land in exchange for railway jobs and placements across different parts of the country.
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The CBI informed the court that 103 people were named as accused in the case. Of these, five have passed away. Among the remaining 98 accused, the court discharged 52 individuals, including Group-D railway substitutes who did not part with land and certain railway officials allegedly linked to those appointments. Charges were framed against the remaining accused, including members of the Yadav family.
Reacting to the development, Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said the case was part of a long judicial process and stressed the importance of respecting the court’s verdict.
“This is a lengthy judicial process, and agencies have collected substantial evidence against Lalu Prasad Yadav and several members of his family. A hearing is scheduled today at the Rouse Avenue Court, with the nation watching closely. Whatever decision the judiciary delivers must be accepted by all sides,” he said.
What the CBI Alleges
The case pertains to alleged irregularities during 2004–2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Union Railway Minister. According to the CBI, Group-D substitute jobs in the Central Railway were granted in return for land parcels transferred at highly undervalued rates to Lalu Yadav, his family members, and associates.
In its charge sheet, the agency flagged multiple discrepancies in documents submitted by job beneficiaries. It is alleged that several candidates had sequential roll numbers on caste and residence certificates, suggesting the documents were procured together “for a common purpose.”
The CBI further claimed that Lalu Prasad Yadav influenced railway officials to ensure appointments of landowners or their family members, particularly in cases where the land parcels were of direct or indirect interest to his family.
According to investigators, the Yadav family allegedly acquired over one lakh square feet of land for just ₹26 lakh, despite the circle rate being over ₹4.39 crore, pointing to massive undervaluation.
All the accused have denied the allegations, asserting that the case is politically motivated. With charges now framed, the case will proceed to trial, marking a crucial legal milestone in one of Bihar’s most politically sensitive corruption probes.