Land-for-jobs scam: Lalu, Rabri plead ‘not guilty’, to face trial

NEW DELHI: Former railway minister Lalu Prasad and his wife and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi on Monday pleaded innocence before a special court in Delhi where charges were framed against them in the land-for-jobs case, with the court saying that they were ready to "face trial". Lalu Prasad is accused of handing out railway jobs in lieu of land in the name of his family members bought from the beneficiaries at throwaway prices during his stint as the railway minister from 2004 to 2009. On Monday, special judge Vishal Gogne formally framed charges against the two. He was hearing the matter in pursuance of his earlier order on Jan29 granting liberty to Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, their sons, Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav, and some others to appear in person between Feb 1 and Feb 28 for formal framing of charges. The matter has been listed for Feb 27. The court recorded that the charges had already been framed against Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi to which they have "pleaded not guilty and claimed trial". Another accused, Ranjit Kumar, also appeared before the court and pleaded innocence. On Jan 9, the court had ordered framing charges against Lalu Prasad, his family members and others under PMLA.