New Delhi: Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad, wife Rabri Devi and 14 others on Wednesday appeared before Delhi's Rouse Avenue court in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs scam. The case pertains to to alleged appointments made in the railways in return for land parcels gifted or sold to Prasad's family when he was the union railway minister between 2004 and 2009.
The CBI has alleged in its chargesheet that irregular appointments were made in the railways, violating the laid down norms and procedures of Indian Railways for recruitment.
In its probe, the CBI found that the accused, in connivance with the then General Manager of Central Railway and CPO of Central Railway had appointed persons in their name or their close relatives in lieu of land. The land was acquired at a price lower than the prevailing circle rate and much lower than the market rate.
According to the CBI, during the period from 2004 to 2009, Lalu Prasad had obtained land in the name of his family members and received pecuniary benefits from the candidates in exchange for jobs in Group D posts in various zones of the Railways.
Several persons residing in Patna themselves or through their family members had sold their land in Patna in favour of Prasad's family members and a private company controlled by his family was also involved in the transfer of such immovable properties.
It has also been alleged that advertisement or any public notice was not issued for recruitment in Railways. Still, those who were residents of Patna were appointed as substitutes in various Zonal Railways located at Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hajipur.