Lalu Yadav: In the alleged land-for-job corruption case involving Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family, and other defendants, a Delhi court on Monday gave the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) more time to submit verification findings.

The Rouse Avenue Courts’ Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act), Vishal Gogne, postponed the hearing on charge framing to December 19 after the investigating agency requested more time to provide verification reports for each accused individual.

In addition to the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the court is considering whether charges should be brought under Sections 120B, 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The court had postponed the case and given the CBI more time to submit verification findings at a previous hearing on December 11.

The CBI claims that during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, “large-scale corruption” took place. The agency claims that land parcels were purchased in the names of Lalu’s family members and a company connected to them, frequently at prices below market value and mostly through cash transactions. It was believed that persons who ceded the property were given work in Group “D” postings across several railway zones in exchange.

Both the ED and the CBI are still investigating the alleged Rs 600-crore money-laundering trail connected to land transactions in Patna, but the Union Home Ministry has already authorized the CBI to prosecute Lalu Prasad in the corruption case.

Lalu Prasad Yadav’s request for a suspension of the land-for-job trial proceedings was denied by the Supreme Court in July. Following the CBI’s filing of many charge sheets under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he had filed a special leave plea (SLP) contesting the Delhi High Court’s denial of his motion to postpone the trial.

The CBI was recently notified by the Principal District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (PC Act) of transfer applications submitted by former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, who requested that the corruption case be moved from Special Judge Gogne’s court.