The Supreme Court, on July 18, 2025, refused to stop trial court proceedings against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) land-for-jobs case. Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh directed the Delhi High Court to expedite hearing Yadav’s plea to quash the CBI’s First Information Report (FIR) filed on May 18, 2022. The court also exempted Yadav from appearing in person at the trial court.
The case centers on allegations that Yadav, while railway minister from May 22, 2004, to May 25, 2009, facilitated Group D appointments in the West Central Zone of the Indian Railways in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, in exchange for land transfers to his family or associates. The CBI alleges these appointments, made without public advertisements, violated railway recruitment rules.
Lalu Yadav sought to halt the trial, arguing the CBI’s investigation lacked required approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and was politically driven due to its timing years after the alleged events. The Delhi High Court, on May 29, 2025, rejected his plea to stay the trial, leading to his appeal to the Supreme Court.
The CBI has filed three charge sheets, including one on June 7, 2024, naming Yadav, his family, and 77 others, including 38 job seekers. The trial court will continue with arguments on framing charges, while the Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear Yadav’s plea to quash the FIR on August 12, 2025.
What is the Land-for-Jobs Scam?
The land-for-jobs scam involves allegations that Lalu Prasad Yadav, as railway minister from 2004 to 2009, appointed individuals to Group D railway jobs in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, without public advertisements, in exchange for land transferred to his family or associates at below-market prices. The CBI, which filed an FIR on May 18, 2022, claims these actions violated recruitment rules and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation has led to three charge sheets, including one on June 7, 2024, naming Yadav, his family, and 77 others. (Rh/Eth/RS)
