A Formal Denial of Charges
On Monday, February 9, 2026, Bihar’s Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, appeared before the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue in New Delhi. He formally pleaded “not guilty” to charges of corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy in the high-profile Railways land-for-jobs case. Despite the legal pressure, Tejashwi maintained his innocence and opted to contest the allegations on their merits, signaling a full-scale legal battle ahead.
The “Criminal Enterprise” Allegation
The case dates back to the period between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as the Union Railway Minister. The CBI alleges that the Yadav family exploited public employment as a bargaining chip, providing railway jobs in exchange for land parcels transferred to family members or linked companies at below-market rates. Special Judge Vishal Gogne recently remarked that the family appeared to be operating as a “criminal enterprise,” leading the court to reject discharge pleas for 46 of the accused, including Lalu’s wife Rabri Devi and son Tej Pratap Yadav.
Timeline for the Trial
The court has finalized the schedule for the upcoming proceedings, fixing March 9, 2026, as the official date for the commencement of the trial. While 52 individuals named in the initial investigation have been discharged, the core members of the RJD leadership remain under intense scrutiny. Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) continues to investigate a parallel money laundering trail related to these land transfers, adding another layer of legal complexity for the Yadav family.
