The Rouse Avenue court has reserved its order on the framing of charges in the land-for-job case against former Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and others.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne on Wednesday reserved the order after hearing arguments from the accused and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The CBI has filed charge sheets against Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and others in the case. Authorities allege that jobs in the Railways were allotted in exchange for land. The court will deliver its order on October 13.
Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, argued that there is sufficient material to frame charges against the accused.
Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Lalu Prasad Yadav, countered that the case is politically motivated. He argued that there is no evidence indicating that jobs were provided in return for land and that the sale deeds demonstrate that lands were purchased legitimately.
Maninder Singh further submitted that there was no violation of appointment rules and that no recommendations were made by the former Railway Minister for any candidate.
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“No General Manager has stated that he ever met Lalu Prasad Yadav,” the counsel said, adding that merely labelling him as a kingpin does not constitute evidence of corruption.
He also argued that there is no evidence showing that any land was taken for free and that all transactions involved legitimate payment.
On August 28, the court had heard arguments on behalf of Rabri Devi, during which her counsel reiterated that she purchased land by paying money and that the transactions were not connected to any favour or corruption.
The court has heard arguments on the framing of charges in the case, which involves 99 accused persons against whom the CBI has filed charge sheets. The CBI maintains that group D substitute jobs were given in exchange for land.
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