RJD President and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad and his wife have denied the allegations and said they will face trial. File | Photo credit: PTI
A Delhi court on Monday (February 16, 2026) formally charged former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and his wife, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, in the alleged land-for-job scam.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court charged the two with corruption and criminal conspiracy. Mr Prasad and his wife have denied the charges and said they would face trial.
The case stems from an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in May 2022 citing alleged irregularities in Group D appointments in the Indian Railways between 2004 and 2009. The agency alleged that recruitments were made in various railway zones in exchange for land.
The nominees, who were residents of Patna, themselves or through family members, sold or donated land to Mr. Prasad, his family members and a private company they controlled. The firm was also involved in the transfer of such immovable property in the names of Mr. Prasad’s family members, the CBI investigation said.
The indictment, filed in October 2022, also alleged that no advertisements or public notices were issued for the meetings. The candidates were inducted into various zonal railways located at Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hazipur and later they were regularized by the accused and then the General Managers of Indian Railways.
Following the CBI investigation, the Enforcement Directorate launched a money laundering probe into the case and unearthed alleged “proceeds of crime” worth ₹600 crore.
The court has now fixed the case for prosecution evidence from March 9 to March 28 on a day-to-day basis.
Published – 16 Feb 2026 22:04 IST