In a significant development in the high-profile Land for Jobs scam case, a Delhi court has granted exemption from personal appearance to RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav. The Rouse Avenue Court allowed them to skip physical presence between February 1 and 25 for formal charge framing proceedings.
While the senior Yadavs received relief, Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav appeared in person and denied all charges leveled against them. The court has now scheduled daily hearings starting March 9 for trial proceedings and recording of prosecution evidence, signaling a push towards expedited justice in this corruption saga.
The exemptions came after the family filed applications citing various reasons for inability to appear physically. Legal experts note this is a common practice in cases involving prominent political figures, but it doesn’t halt the case momentum.
Background of the Case
The Land for Jobs scam alleges that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister, jobs were offered in exchange for land parcels transferred at undervalued prices to his family members. The CBI probe uncovered a web of transactions involving prime real estate in Patna, raising serious questions about nepotism and abuse of power.
Rabri Devi’s earlier plea to transfer four related cases, including the IRCTC scam and money laundering probes, was rooted in claims of judicial bias. She accused Special Judge Vishal Gogne of showing undue favoritism towards the prosecution, citing multiple instances during hearings where fairness was allegedly compromised.
Despite these contentions, the court proceeded with charge framing in the IRCTC case last October, setting the stage for interconnected trials. The family’s legal strategy now focuses on challenging the narrative of premeditated discrimination while preparing for the marathon trial ahead.
As daily hearings commence next month, all eyes are on how the prosecution builds its case with witness testimonies and documentary evidence. This could prove pivotal for the political fortunes of the Yadav family, who have faced relentless scrutiny over corruption allegations for years.