IRCTC and Land for Job Case Update: The troubles of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and leader of opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav have suddenly increased a lot today. Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has given its verdict on framing of charges against Lalu family in both IRCTC Scam and Land for Job (land for job) cases in the same day. The special CBI court has admitted that there was interference in the tender process and all this happened with the knowledge of Lalu Yadav.
Land for job case: Court labels it a ‘conspiracy’
The special CBI court of Rouse Avenue Court has framed stringent charges against the Lalu family in the Land for Job case. The court clearly said that Lalu Yadav had misused his government position and had made major changes in the tender process. The court has framed charges against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav under fraud, corruption and other sections. The court said there was conspiracy, misuse of position and tampering in the tender process. The most important thing was added that “everything happened with the knowledge of Lalu Yadav.” The court clarified that there was a conspiracy to give the land rights to Rabri and Tejashwi.
Lalu family said: ‘We are not guilty’
During the proceedings in the court, Judge Vishal Gogane directly asked Lalu Yadav whether he considered these allegations true or false. Lalu Yadav, who reached the court on a wheelchair, clearly said, “I am not guilty.” Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav were also asked the same questions, and their reply was also that “we are not guilty.” The court had asked all the accused in this case to be personally present. Rouse Avenue Court had reserved its verdict on framing of charges in the Land for Job case on August 25.
Charges framed in IRCTC scam also
Along with Land for Job, the decision on framing of charges in the IRCTC scam case also came today. This case is related to corruption in the tender of BNR Hotels located in Ranchi and Puri. A charge sheet was filed in the court against Lalu-Tejashwi and other accused under sections 120B, 420 of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against which charges have now been framed. Lalu Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi are currently staying at Misa Bharti’s Pandara Park residence in Delhi.
Big political blow for Grand Alliance
Today is also very important in view of the impending assembly elections in Bihar and the opposition grand alliance. The framing of charges against Lalu family is a big blow not only on the legal front but also on the political front. There is already tension between RJD and Congress regarding seat sharing. RJD had offered 52 seats to Congress, whereas Congress is adamant on the demand of 60 seats. Due to this tension, Bihar Congress leaders had also stopped talks on seat sharing. The meeting of the Central Election Committee of Congress is also to be held in Delhi today, which becomes even more important in this context. With the framing of charges against the Lalu family, it may be challenging for the opposition to defend itself on corruption charges and go among the public in the elections.