Land-for-job case: Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti get bail in CBI case

The Rouse Avenue Court here on Wednesday granted regular bail to former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and their daughter Misa Bharti and other accused in connection with the case related to the alleged land-for-job scam. The Special Judge Geetanjali Goel on Wednesday while granting regular bail noted that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had not arrested any accused in the case and the chargesheet was filed without arrests.

The Court directed all the accused to furnish a Rs 50,000 personal bail bond and a like amount as surety. The case will next be heard on March 29. Lalu Yadav was seen arriving at the Rouse Avenue Court in a wheelchair.The former Bihar Chief Minister had undergone a kidney transplant in Singapore three months ago.

Appearing for several accused (landholders) in the case, Advocate Mudit Jain stated that the CBI chose not to arrest the accused person, which is in itself evidence of their co-operation. The allegations are based on assumptions that the sale done was for valid consideration. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in its chargesheet filed in connection with the alleged land-for-job scam stated that irregular appointments of candidates were made in Central Railway, violating the laid down norms and procedures of Indian Railways for recruitment.

As a quid-pro-quo, the candidates directly or through their immediate relatives/family members, sold land to the family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav (then Union Railway Minister) at highly discounted rates up to one foruth to one fifth of the prevailing market rates,…