The Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday directed the competent authority to grant prosecution sanction within one week for public servants implicated in a CBI case related to the Land-for-Jobs scam.
Special judge Vishal Gogne issued this order after the Central Bureau of Investigation reported that the necessary sanction was still pending with the railway board, which could take an additional two weeks.
During the proceedings, the court sought a response from the CBI regarding a plea from one of the accused seeking discharge from the case. Special public prosecutor DP Singh indicated that the agency had been informed it might take two more weeks to secure the required sanction. The court emphasized the need for the competent authority to expedite the process and has scheduled the matter for further hearing on November 26.
Previously, on September 20, the CBI had secured sanction to prosecute former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and filed the necessary documentation in court. The agency revealed that over 30 other accused were also awaiting prosecution sanctions. The court had previously urged the CBI to hasten the process for obtaining these sanctions.
In July, the court directed the competent authority to address the issue of prosecution sanctions for 32 public servants, including Yadav. A conclusive charge sheet filed by the CBI on June 7 is currently under consideration. The charge sheet includes Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav, all of whom are implicated in the land-for-jobs case.
On October 4, 2023, the court granted bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Rabri Devi, and others related to a new charge sheet in the Land-for-Jobs scam.
The second charge sheet involves 17 accused, including former Union Railway Minister Yadav, and highlights a scheme allegedly orchestrated by him and his family members to exploit land ownership for job placements in the railways.
The allegations suggest that during Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, he and his associates gained financial advantages by acquiring land from job candidates in exchange for employment in Group D positions across various railway zones.
The CBI’s investigation uncovered a conspiracy where candidates, primarily from Patna, sold their land to Yadav’s family in return for jobs.
Investigations included searches in multiple locations, including Delhi and Bihar, where evidence was collected, such as documents relating to candidates and their job placements. A hard disk containing lists of engaged candidates was also recovered.
The case remains significant, shedding light on the alleged corruption within the railway ministry and the manipulation of employment processes. As the court awaits the sanction for prosecution, the implications of this case will likely continue to unfold in the coming weeks.
