Defiance defined Monday’s courtroom drama as RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav flatly refused to accept charges in the notorious Land for Jobs scam, opting instead for a rigorous trial process beginning March 9 at Rouse Avenue Court. The Bihar leader’s move intensifies the CBI showdown with the Lalu Prasad family, drawing national attention to their past dealings.
The controversy originates from Lalu’s stint as Railway Minister (2004-2009), with accusations that railway jobs were traded for land gifts from recruits’ kin. Scattered across Bihar’s districts, these plots—modest in size but prime in location—found their way into Lalu family holdings, as per CBI filings, fueling claims of systemic graft.
The bench had branded the family’s tactics as mafia-like, issuing summons for charge framing to Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi, and Tej Pratap. Following a missed earlier slot, Tejashwi showed up, slamming the allegations as fabricated and politically orchestrated, vowing to prove his innocence through evidence.
Fielding media questions afterward, he emphasized routine compliance and judicial trust, but clammed up on Tej Pratap’s accusations against RJD loyalists—termed ‘Jaychands’ in a fresh party schism. This brotherly silence amid public feuds underscores the personal stakes involved.
Looking ahead, the impending trial could redefine Bihar’s opposition dynamics, with Tejashwi positioning himself as a fighter against perceived injustices. The case’s ripples extend far beyond the courtroom, influencing electoral strategies and public perceptions in a politically charged state.