Lalu Prasad Yadav

Lalu was convicted in 2013 in the first fodder scam case involving fraudulent withdrawals from the Chaibasa treasury. The conviction led to his imprisonment and electoral disqualification.

State of the evidence

criminal conviction documented

Legal status — source text

sentenced to five years in 2013; appeal remains separate from the other cases

Attribution

personal criminal liability established at first instance, subject to appeals

The second case concerned the fraudulent withdrawal of approximately Rs 89 lakh from the Deoghar treasury. Lalu was found guilty in December 2017 and sentenced to three and a half years.

State of the evidence

criminal conviction documented

Legal status — source text

convicted in December 2017; in July 2026, the Supreme Court maintained his bail and called for an appellate judgment within six months

Attribution

personal criminal liability established at first instance; appeal pending

In another separate Chaibasa case involving withdrawals exceeding Rs 33 crore, Lalu was convicted in January 2018 and given a five-year sentence.

State of the evidence

criminal conviction documented

Legal status — source text

sentenced to five years in January 2018; released on bail pending appeal

Attribution

personal criminal liability established at first instance

The Dumka case concerned fraudulent withdrawals of more than Rs 3 crore from the treasury. Lalu was found guilty in March 2018 and sentenced on multiple charges.

State of the evidence

criminal conviction documented

Legal status — source text

convicted in March 2018; sentences and subsequent bail documented

Attribution

personal criminal liability established at first instance

In the fifth major case, concerning the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 139.35 crore from the Doranda treasury, Lalu was sentenced in February 2022 to five years' imprisonment and a fine.

State of the evidence

criminal conviction documented

Legal status — source text

sentenced in February 2022 to five years and a Rs 60 lakh fine; released on bail

Attribution

personal criminal liability established at first instance

The CBI alleges that two IRCTC hotels were awarded to a private company in exchange for alleged land-related benefits to entities linked to the Yadav family. A Delhi court framed charges against Lalu and several co-defendants in October 2025.

State of the evidence

CBI investigation and framing of charges documented

Legal status — source text

charges framed in October 2025; challenged before High Court in 2026; trial pending

Attribution

personal allegation concerning decisions made during his tenure as Railways Minister; presumption of innocence

The CBI alleges that Group D railway jobs were awarded in exchange for land transferred to members of the Yadav family or related entities. In January 2026, a court framed charges against Lalu and several family members.

State of the evidence

CBI investigation, charge sheets and framing of charges documented

Legal status — source text

charges framed in January 2026; proceedings upheld by higher courts; trial pending

Attribution

personal allegation of a scheme exchanging railway appointments for land; presumption of innocence

In the context of the Dadri lynching, Lalu stated that Hindus also ate beef and accused the BJP/RSS of communalising the issue. The remark prompted an immediate political reaction.

State of the evidence

public statement documented

Attribution

personal responsibility for his remarks

A case arising from the fodder scam accused Lalu of accumulating assets disproportionate to his income, with Rabri Devi co-accused of alleged complicity.

State of the evidence

criminal proceedings and acquittal documented

Legal status — source text

acquitted on 18 December 2006

Attribution

personal accusation ending in a favourable judicial outcome

Course of the proceedings

1. Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome

After being charged by the CBI and facing an impending arrest warrant, Lalu resigned as Chief Minister and arranged for his wife Rabri Devi, then a political novice, to succeed him.

State of the evidence

resignation and family succession documented

Legal status — source text

no separate proceedings concerning the succession itself

Attribution

direct political responsibility

In October 1990, Lalu ordered L. K. Advani's arrest in Samastipur to halt his Ram Rath Yatra towards Ayodhya. The decision became a major moment in Mandal-versus-Kamandal politics and led the BJP to withdraw support from V. P. Singh's government.

State of the evidence

historic government decision documented

Legal status — source text

administrative/political arrest of Advani; no proceedings against Lalu

Attribution

direct political responsibility as Chief Minister