New Delhi | January 9, 2026

A Delhi court on Friday formally framed corruption and criminal conspiracy charges against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, and daughter Misa Bharti in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs scam. The court noted that during his tenure as the Union Railway Minister, Lalu Yadav allegedly turned the ministry into his “personal fiefdom” to carry out a systematic criminal enterprise.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court, while reading out the order, observed, “A-1 (Lalu Prasad Yadav) used the railway ministry and the lands office as a personal fiefdom… Yadav and his close aides were operating as a criminal enterprise to usurp land.”

The charges stem from allegations that Lalu Yadav and his family members engaged in a conspiracy whereby public employment in the railways was exchanged for land parcels, which were then transferred in the names of his relatives and close associates. The court emphasized that this network operated as an organized enterprise, exploiting the authority of the Railway Ministry to benefit personal and familial interests.

Scope of the Charges

The court noted that the overarching conspiracy involved distributing Group D jobs across different railway zones in exchange for land. These plots were reportedly transferred to Lalu Yadav’s family members, including his sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap, his wife Rabri Devi, and his daughter Misa Bharti.

During the proceedings, the court discharged 52 accused persons, including Central Personnel Officers (CPOs) and other government officials who were not directly implicated in the illegal land transfers. Of the remaining individuals, charges were framed against 41 accused, while five others passed away during the course of the case.

Background of the Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) lodged the case on May 18, 2022, alleging that Lalu Prasad Yadav, during his tenure as Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, systematically allotted Group D jobs in exchange for land. The land parcels were allegedly acquired in the names of his family members and close aides, forming the basis of what the investigating agency described as a land-for-jobs scam.

In its chargesheet filed in 2023, the CBI named 78 accused persons, including 30 government officials associated with the Railway Ministry. The agency alleged that the distribution of employment positions and acquisition of land were interlinked components of a larger criminal enterprise orchestrated by Lalu Yadav and his associates.

Following the CBI’s investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also filed a money laundering case in 2024. In its chargesheet, the ED alleged that Lalu Yadav and his family members had amassed illicit wealth through the corrupt distribution of jobs and acquisition of land, constituting a significant financial offense under India’s anti-money laundering laws.

Court Proceedings and Observations

Special Judge Vishal Gogne stressed that the chargesheet revealed a pattern of organized corruption, with the Railway Ministry being misused to facilitate illegal gains for Lalu Yadav’s family. The court remarked on the strategic nature of the alleged crimes, highlighting how public authority was leveraged to manipulate employment and land distribution for personal benefit.

The framing of charges is a crucial stage in the ongoing trial, as it formally notifies the accused of the offenses they are alleged to have committed and allows the trial to proceed. In this case, it sets the stage for the prosecution to present evidence linking the accused to both illegal land transfers and job allocations in a coordinated manner.

The court’s remarks also highlighted the systemic nature of the alleged conspiracy, underlining that it was not limited to isolated transactions but involved a deliberate abuse of ministerial power over several years.

Implications of the Case

The land-for-jobs scam has long been a high-profile case in Bihar and across India, drawing significant media attention due to the involvement of a prominent political family. If proven, the charges could have serious legal consequences, including potential imprisonment, financial penalties, and disqualification from public office.

The case also underscores the challenges faced by anti-corruption agencies in investigating complex political and bureaucratic networks, where positions of authority are allegedly exploited for personal and familial gain.

Next Steps in the Trial

With the framing of charges, the trial will now move to the evidence stage, where both the CBI and ED are expected to present documents, witness testimony, and other proof to substantiate claims of corruption, conspiracy, and money laundering. The defense will also have the opportunity to contest the allegations and present counter-evidence.

The court has yet to set the next hearing date, but proceedings are expected to be closely followed by political observers, legal experts, and the media, given the prominence of the accused and the scale of the alleged offenses.

Summary

To summarize, the Delhi court’s decision on January 9, 2026:

• Framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and Misa Bharti.
• Discharged 52 other accused, while 41 faced charges, and five had died during proceedings.
• Highlighted that Lalu Yadav used the Railway Ministry as his personal fiefdom to facilitate a criminal enterprise.
• Set the stage for a detailed trial on allegations of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering.

The case represents one of the most significant political corruption trials in recent Indian history and will be closely monitored as the proceedings unfold in the coming months.