A Delhi court on Friday framed charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their children Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and Misa Bharti in connection with the alleged Railways land-for-jobs scam.

The order was passed by Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts. Lalu Yadav has been charged with offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act as well as provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), while his family members have been charged with cheating and criminal conspiracy.

The case arises from allegations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that during Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, Group D jobs in the Railways were allegedly offered to candidates in return for land parcels being transferred to his family members or their associated entities at throwaway prices.

According to the CBI, several job aspirants or their relatives sold or gifted land located in Patna and other areas to members of the Yadav family. The agency has alleged that no regular or transparent recruitment process was followed and that the land transfers were part of a quid pro quo arrangement for securing government jobs.

The Yadav family has rejected the allegations, claiming that the case is politically motivated.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is separately investigating the money laundering aspect of the matter and has so far attached properties worth more than ₹600 crore, which it claims are proceeds of crime.

While reading out the order in court, Judge Gogne observed that Lalu Yadav and his family members were allegedly operating as a “criminal enterprise” and were part of a larger conspiracy in which public employment was used as a bargaining tool to acquire valuable properties. The court noted that the chargesheet indicates that Yadav’s close associates facilitated the transfer of land in exchange for railway jobs and postings across the country.

Dismissing the plea for discharge, the court said that the request made by Lalu Yadav and his family members was “completely unwarranted”. It also remarked that the Ministry of Railways was allegedly treated as a personal fiefdom during Yadav’s tenure.

The court said that out of 98 surviving accused in the case, charges have been framed against 46 persons, including Lalu Yadav and his family members, while 52 others have been discharged.

The CBI was represented by Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh along with advocates Manu Mishra, Imaan Khera and Garima Saxena. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, assisted by advocates Varun Jain, Navin Kumar and Satish Kumar, appeared on behalf of Lalu Yadav