CBI files final charge sheet against Lalu Prasad in land-for-jobs scam.

The CBI has filed its final charge sheet against former railway minister Lalu Prasad and 77 others in connection with the land-for-jobs scam. Lalu Prasad, along with his family members and others, allegedly engaged ineligible candidates as Group D substitutes in various Indian Railways zones in exchange for land parcels.

The accused, including Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tej Pratap Yadav, daughter Hema Yadav, former OSD Bhola Yadav, and others, face charges under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, and forgery, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation revealed that candidates submitted fake educational certificates to qualify for these positions. Candidates primarily hailed from districts represented by the then Union railway minister and his family members.

The CBI alleges that Lalu Prasad conspired to acquire land parcels connected to him or his family by offering railway jobs. The accused purportedly collected candidates' applications and documents, forwarding them to the Railways for processing. Candidates were allegedly appointed hastily and later regularized upon transferring land to themselves or family members.

The second charge sheet alleges land purchases in the name of A K Infosystems to conceal links between jobs and land acquisitions. A plot in Patna was allegedly acquired by Lalu Prasad's family through cash payments.

The case dates back to May 2022 when the CBI registered it against Lalu Prasad and others, with the first charge sheet filed in October 2022. Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad's son and then deputy chief minister of Bihar, was charge-sheeted in July last year. The investigation also found a hard disk at Lalu Prasad's camp office containing details of 1,458 candidates engaged during his tenure as Union Minister of Railways.