'Signatures Forged To Show Candidates As Eligible': CBI In Lalu Yadav’s Land-For-Jobs Scam

Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 15:01 IST

The CBI told a Delhi court that ineligible candidates were fraudulently appointed to Group-D railway jobs in exchange for undervalued land sold to Lalu Prasad Yadav's family.

Former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav leaves for the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday claimed that those who could not even write their names were given Group-D jobs in exchange for land deals by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.

“Signatures, transfer certificates and mark-sheets were all forged. Candidates have mentioned schools in their applications in which they were never enrolled," senior advocate and Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) DP Singh, representing the CBI before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court, said.

On being asked if the forgery was done to show the candidates as eligible, Singh said, “Yes, it is necessary to show that one has passed at least grade 8 to apply for the jobs."

Further, the CBI also cited the existence of a school for the sole purpose of preparing forged certificates.

The probe agency also claimed that land parcels were sold to Lalu Yadav’s family at up to 60 per cent cheaper rate than the market, and that the transactions were in cash.

On Monday, the CBI began its arguments on charges in the land for job scam case, in which Lalu Yadav, his family members, former public servants, and candidates are accused.

Yadav is alleged to have granted railway jobs in exchange for land parcels from candidates or their relatives, either as gifts or at significantly reduced prices.

Before the Delhi court, CBI’s counsel gave a brief overview of the case and submitted that there is a sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad Yadav and public servants in this case.

It was further submitted that there is sufficient material evidence to frame charges against the accused persons for the offence they are charge sheeted.

The Delhi High Court has already rejected the plea of Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking a stay on trial court proceedings.

On May 31, the Delhi High Court had dismissed one of Lalu Yadav’s pleas.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal had sought to quash the First Information Report (FIR), arguing that the CBI failed to obtain mandatory prior approval before proceeding with its inquiry. He contended that while approval was secured for others, it was not obtained in his case.

The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have investigated Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family, and several others in connection with the land-for-jobs case.

Ananya Bhatnagar

Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De...Read More

Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De...

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