Bhubaneswar: Appearing before the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, the CBI on Tuesday charged multiple individuals for fraudulent appointments in Group D railway jobs using fabricated documents and false academic claims.

CBI Reveals Massive Irregularities and Pressure from the Top

CBI counsel D.P. Singh and Manu Mishra told the court that some applicants falsely claimed to have completed Class 8 and submitted fake certificates from schools they never attended. Shockingly, many could barely sign their names yet still secured government positions.

“The pressure from the Railway Ministry was immense,” CBI told Special Judge Vishal Gogne. “Even sequential roll numbers were found on forged certificates.”

The scam spans railway zones in Jabalpur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Hajipur, where recruitment allegedly occurred without public advertisement or background verification.

Land at Throwaway Prices for the Yadav Family

The CBI’s findings also show that job seekers transferred prime land to the Yadav family at prices up to 60% below market value. In total, the family allegedly acquired over 1 lakh square feet of land, valued at Rs 4.39 crore, for a mere Rs 26 lakh.

An earlier probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) revealed how properties registered under Rabri Devi and Hema Yadav were sold for Rs 3.5 crore even though the official cost was only Rs 7.5 lakh, and the remaining funds were routed via shell companies.

Who’s Accused: A High-Profile List

The CBI has named 78 individuals in the chargesheet, including:

• Lalu Prasad Yadav

• Rabri Devi (wife and former Bihar CM)

• Tejashwi Yadav (Deputy CM)

• Tej Pratap Yadav (Cabinet Minister)

• Hema Yadav (daughter)

• Bhola Yadav (former aide)

While the CBI obtained sanction to prosecute Lalu in September 2024, approval for 30 others is still pending.

Legal Tussle and Political Turmoil

Lalu’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, has challenged the case on grounds of lack of sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the time of the 2022 FIR. However, the Delhi High Court refused to stay proceedings on May 29, 2025, paving the way for the trial to move forward.

The case resumes on June 5, as the CBI seeks to frame charges.

Impact on Bihar’s Political Landscape

The timing of the revelations, just before the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, threatens to dent the image of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). As Lalu Prasad’s legacy comes under scrutiny and opposition parties seize the opportunity, the scandal could significantly impact electoral outcomes.

The trial could set a new precedent in political accountability and shift the mood among voters demanding transparency and justice.

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