New Delhi, February 21: A Delhi court is set to determine on February 25 whether to acknowledge a chargesheet in the land-for-jobs case involving former railway minister Lalu Prasad and others.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne, who was supposed to make a ruling on Friday, postponed the decision to February 25 after reviewing the CBI’s clarifications on several issues.
On January 30, the judge raised specific questions to the CBI regarding the common and distinct elements of the allegations presented in the chargesheet.
These inquiries were triggered by the CBI’s statement indicating that it had received the necessary sanctions from the relevant authorities to prosecute public servant R K Mahajan.
On January 16, the judge commented that if the sanction for Mahajan was not processed by January 30, the “competent authority shall provide” an explanation by the next hearing date.
On November 26, 2024, the CBI submitted the necessary sanctions to prosecute 30 individuals involved in the case, while noting that the sanctions for Mahajan’s prosecution were still pending.
This case pertains to Group-D appointments made in the West Central Zone of Railways in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during Prasad’s term as railway minister from 2004 to 2009, in exchange for land parcels gifted or transferred by the recruited individuals to the family or associates of the RJD leader, according to officials.
The CBI initiated the probe on May 18, 2022, against Prasad and others, including his wife, two daughters, unidentified public officials, and private individuals. (Agencies)
