Land-for-job: Lalu Prasad’s trial at Delhi court to start from March 9

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Thursday said the trial in the land-for-jobs case against former railway minister Lalu Prasad and other accused will commence from March 9, directing that prosecution evidence be recorded on a day-today basis. Special Judge Vishal Gogne was hearing the matter, which was listed for the formal framing of charges. Earlier, on January 9, the court had ordered the framing of charges against Lalu, his family members and others. Charges have been framed against 41 accused, while 52 have been discharged. Of the 103 accused named in the CBI chargesheet, five have died. On Thursday, the court exempted Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and some others from physical appearance. Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav appeared before the court and denied the charges. The court directed four accused to appear on February 10 for framing of charges and said that prosecution evidence will be recorded from March 9 to March 28. In a 346-page order, Judge Gogne said, “The court finds ... that there existed an overarching criminal conspiracy, mentored by Lalu Prasad Yadav, towards using public employment as a bargaining chip for receiving immovable properties through his wife Rabri Devi, daughters Misha Bharti and Hema Yadav, as well as sons Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav from willing job seekers.”