The Central Bureau of Investigation has received sanction to prosecute Bhola Yadav, former officer on special duty (OSD) to former railway minister Lalu Prasad, for his alleged role in the land-for-jobs case.
An intimation to this effect was given by CBI to a local court last week. As per available information, the competent authorities of Central Railway and Western Central Railway zone have accorded sanction to prosecute Bhola Yadav in the alleged scandal.
The two sanctions were placed on record by CBI last week. The court was also informed that the CBI’s request seeking sanction for prosecution against Lalu Prasad and 31 other public servants is “under consideration” of the competent authorities.
Irked by the delay in grant of sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad and 31 others, a local court last month directed the authorities to take a decision on the same by August 20. The court had made it clear that in absence of any final decision, an authorised official from the office of the said competent authority shall appear in person to explain the delay.
According to people in the know, an authorised official was present in the court last week. The court was informed that the CBI’s request is “under consideration”. As regards Lalu Prasad, the competent authority to accord prosecution sanction is the Union home ministry. As regards other public servants, the sanction will have to be decided by the railways ministry.
CBI had previously received sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad for his alleged involvement in the case. The agency had filed two charge sheets elaborating the former minister’s alleged role in illegal recruitment of employees in two zones – Central and Western Central Railway.
However, CBI filed its final and composite charge sheet in the case, including all the remaining railway zones (besides Central and Western Central). Lalu Prasad and some public servants were also charged in the final charge sheet. It is for this final charge sheet that CBI had sought prosecution sanction from the competent authorities in June. A decision on the same is awaited.
In June, CBI had filed its final charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, daughter Hema Yadav, and the then OSD, Bhola Yadav, among others. A total of 78 individuals, including candidates (beneficiaries), were named in the charge sheet by CBI.
In its July 15 order, a special court had impressed upon the need for an expeditious decision on sanction. The order said: “The proceedings in the entirety of the three charge sheets and the two supplementary charge sheets are presently at a standstill for want of decision on the aspect of sanction for prosecution of the public servants in question.”
