Tejashwi Yadav Denies Charges in Land-for-Jobs Case, Vows to Fight Trial on Merits

New Delhi, Feb 2026 : Bihar Leader of the Opposition and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday asserted his innocence in the alleged Railways land-for-jobs corruption case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stating that he is fully prepared to face trial and contest the charges on merit.

Tejashwi Yadav appeared before the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue, where he formally pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, cheating and criminal conspiracy levelled against him. Addressing the court, he made it clear that he would not seek discharge and instead would contest the case through the legal process, expressing confidence that the truth would ultimately prevail.

The appearance followed an earlier order passed by the trial court on January 29, granting permission to senior RJD leaders — including party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav — to appear before the court between February 1 and February 25 for the formal framing of charges. The court had directed all accused to give prior intimation at least a day before their appearance.

The trial court has scheduled March 9 as the date for the commencement of the trial, marking a significant step forward in a case that has remained under investigation for several years.

Earlier this month, Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court formally framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and several members of his family. In a strongly worded order, the court observed that the accused were allegedly “operating as a criminal enterprise” and were part of a wider conspiracy in which public employment in the Indian Railways was purportedly used as leverage to acquire valuable immovable properties.

According to the court, the CBI’s chargesheet prima facie indicates that close associates of Lalu Prasad Yadav facilitated the transfer of land parcels in exchange for railway jobs across multiple zones of the Indian Railways. The court rejected pleas seeking discharge, remarking that such requests were “completely unwarranted” at this stage of the proceedings.

As per the court’s order, out of the 98 surviving accused named in the case, charges have been framed against 46 individuals, including Lalu Prasad Yadav and members of his family. The remaining 52 accused have been discharged after the court found insufficient material against them. Proceedings against five accused were closed earlier following their deaths.

The case relates to alleged large-scale corruption during the period between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as the Union Railway Minister. The CBI has alleged that land parcels were acquired in the names of family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav and a company linked to them, often at prices significantly below prevailing market rates and largely through cash transactions. In return, railway jobs were allegedly granted to beneficiaries across different regions.

Parallel to the CBI probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also investigating the alleged money-laundering angle of the case, focusing on the trail of land transfers, particularly in Patna.

With Tejashwi Yadav now formally contesting the charges, the case is set to enter a crucial phase as trial proceedings begin in March.

Team Maverick.