The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has got the Centre's sanction to prosecute former railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in the land-for-jobs scam, sources said on Friday.
Lalu Prasad Yadav is named as an accused in the CBI chargesheet. Lalu Prasad Yadav's wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and daughter Misa Bharti were also named in the CBI's chargesheet.
The CBI had registered a preliminary enquiry in September 2021 related to the alleged land-for-jobs scam in the Railways. It was converted into an FIR on May 18 last year.
The CBI accused Lalu Prasad Yadav of conspiring with railway officials and taking bribes for providing jobs to candidates. The accused would allegedly take bribes in the form of land. According to the CBI charge sheet, the plots were acquired at prices lower than the prevailing rates and way lower than the market rates. It also mentioned that the 'substitutes' used fake transfer certificates and furnished forged documents to the Ministry of Railways.
According to the central agency, Lalu Prasad Yadav, the patriarch of the RJD, his wife Rabri Devi along with his daughters Misa Yadav and Hema Yadav were given land plots as bribes from some people who were recruited in various departments in the Railways.
During 2004-2009, Lalu Yadav had obtained "pecuniary advantages" in the form of transfer of landed property in the name of his family members in lieu of appointment of substitutes in Group "D" post in different zones of Railways, the CBI has alleged.
CBI has said that several residents of Patna sold and gifted their land in favour of the Yadav family and a private company controlled by Yadav and his family. The agency said Lalu Yadav and his family were also involved in transfer of such immovable properties.