The record

What governments did, and what it cost the country

Year by year from 1947. Each entry tells you in plain words what happened, who did it, what the evidence is, and where the matter stands today. Every line links to a document: a court judgment, a law, an audit report or a charge sheet. The label on each entry is its position today. An accusation is not a conviction, and a person cleared by a court is shown as cleared.

189 documented, 71 being documented

Timeline

The scams that cost India

Scroll sideways along the timeline

Jawaharlal Nehru

1947–1964, 6 cases

1948Closed — no court ever decided
Union government
Jeep scandal
A parliamentary committee reported in 1951 but its report was never made public; the government closed the matter in 1955 without action, and Menon joined the Union Cabinet in 1956.
1951Resigned
Union government
Mudgal case
Mudgal resigned during the debate on Nehru's expulsion motion in September 1951.
1957Resigned
Union government
Mundhra–LIC scandal
About ₹1.26 crore of LIC funds in Mundhra-group shares (estimates vary)
Finance Minister T.T. Krishnamachari resigned in February 1958, as did the Finance Secretary and LIC chairman; Mundhra was convicted of fraud.
1962Convictions
Union government
Dharma Teja / Jayanti Shipping
₹20.25 crore government-backed loan (Lok Sabha, 1962)
Charge-sheeted by the CBI in 1967 and brought back from London in 1971, Teja was convicted; the company was merged into the Shipping Corporation of India.
1963Resigned
Union government
Serajuddin affair (K.D. Malaviya)
Malaviya resigned after the Das report raised prima facie concerns; no prosecution followed.
1963Resigned
Punjab
Pratap Singh Kairon case
The Das Commission upheld some of the charges in June 1964, and Kairon resigned that month.

Indira Gandhi

1966–1977, 4 cases

1971Commission findings
Union government
Maruti affair
Maruti Ltd was liquidated in 1977 and the Justice A.C. Gupta Commission issued a strongly critical report; no conviction followed.
1971Convictions
Union government
Nagarwala case
₹60 lakh withdrawn from SBI, mostly recovered
Nagarwala was convicted and died in custody in 1972; the 1978 Reddy Commission said the Prime Minister's office had obstructed the police inquiry.
1974Unresolved
Union government
Pondicherry import licences (Tulmohan Ram)
Mishra was killed in January 1975; no final verdict against Ram appears in the record reviewed.
1975Discharged
Bihar
Patna Urban Cooperative Bank case
The prosecution was withdrawn in 1981 after his own cabinet approved it; the Supreme Court upheld the withdrawal in 1982 and, by 3:2, in 1986.

Indira Gandhi

1980–1984, 4 cases

1980Closed — no court ever decided
Union government
Kuo Oil deal
About US$9.85 million notional loss (Committee on Public Undertakings, 1983)
Parliament's Committee on Public Undertakings found the purchase 'not prudent' but made no finding of wrongdoing; no prosecution followed.
1981Resigned
Maharashtra
Antulay cement scam
Antulay resigned in January 1982; he was cleared after a 12-year legal battle ending in the Supreme Court.
1982Closed — no court ever decided
Madhya Pradesh
Churhat lottery case
A one-judge commission and the High Court cleared Arjun Singh.
1983Acquitted
Union government
Lakhubhai Pathak cheating case
US$100,000 (alleged)
A Delhi court acquitted all three in December 2003, calling Pathak's evidence unreliable.

Rajiv Gandhi

1984–1989, 3 cases

1987Closed — no court ever decided
Union government
Bofors scandal
₹64 crore in alleged kickbacks on a ₹1,437 crore howitzer contract
The Delhi High Court found no evidence against Rajiv Gandhi in 2004; Quattrocchi was discharged in 2011 and never extradited; the Supreme Court dismissed the last appeal in August 2026.
1987Closed — no court ever decided
Union government
HDW submarine deal
Alleged 7% commission on a ₹465 crore contract
A 1990 CBI FIR named a former Defence Secretary and company representatives; the probes ended without any conviction.
1989Acquitted
Union government
St Kitts forgery case
Rao and Tewari were let go for lack of evidence in 1997; Chandraswami was acquitted in 2004, though the court held the documents were forged.

P.V. Narasimha Rao

1991–1996, 9 cases

1991Still in court
Kerala
Palmolein import case
About ₹2.3 crore alleged loss (CAG)
Proceedings against Karunakaran ended with his death in 2010; the trial of the others remains held up by petitions in the Supreme Court.
1992Convictions
Union government
Securities scam (Harshad Mehta)
About ₹4,000 crore (widely cited estimate)
Mehta's conviction was upheld in 2003 and bank officials were sentenced as late as 2018; no minister was charged.
1992Acquitted
Karnataka
Classik Computer purchase case
A special court acquitted them in 2003; the High Court dismissed the CBI's appeal in 2011.
1993Acquitted
Union government
JMM MPs bribery case
A special court convicted both in 2000; the Delhi High Court acquitted them in 2002. The MPs' parliamentary immunity was overruled by the Supreme Court in 2024.
1994Resigned
Union government
Sugar import scam
₹650 crore alleged loss (claim by former minister Kalpnath Rai)
Kalpnath Rai resigned; no prosecution established responsibility.
1996Closed — no court ever decided
Union government
Petrol pump allotments (Satish Sharma)
The Supreme Court cancelled 15 allotments and imposed ₹50 lakh in damages in 1996, then set aside the damages and the CBI direction on review in 1999.
1996Unresolved
Union government
Government shop allotments (Sheila Kaul)
She died in 2015 without a verdict; her former aide was sentenced to two years in 2016.
1996Convictions
Union government
Telecom equipment scam (Sukh Ram)
Over ₹1.16 crore in cash recovered from the minister's home (CBI)
Convicted in several cases; the Delhi High Court upheld a sentence in 2011, and he got five years in the Haryana Telecom case.
1996Convictions
Union government
Urea import scam
₹133 crore paid for urea never delivered (CBI)
A special CBI court convicted eight people in 2018, including the PM's relative B. Sanjeeva Rao.

Manmohan Singh · UPA-I

2004–2009, 8 cases

2004Still in court
Haryana
Manesar land acquisition case
₹1,500 crore alleged loss to landowners (CBI, 2018)
The Supreme Court cancelled the land transfers in 2018; Hooda's trial continues.
2004Still in court
Andhra Pradesh
Quid-pro-quo investment cases
Eleven CBI chargesheets have been filed since 2011; the trial is pending and nothing has been proven.
2005Resigned
Union government
Iraq oil-for-food allegations
Natwar Singh resigned in December 2005; the Pathak inquiry found allocations were made to oblige an associate but no evidence that he received money.
2005Discharged
Haryana
AJL Panchkula plot re-allotment
A special CBI court discharged Hooda and AJL in April 2026.
2005Still in court
Union government
Antrix–Devas S-band deal
₹578 crore alleged wrongful gain to Devas (CBI, 2016)
The deal was cancelled in 2011; in 2022 the Supreme Court called it a 'product of fraud' by Devas. The criminal cases are pending.
2005Closed — no court ever decided
Union government
Scorpene submarine deal allegations
The CBI found no evidence of kickbacks, and the Delhi High Court declined to order a further probe in 2016.
2008Acquitted
Union government
2G spectrum allocation
₹1.76 lakh crore presumptive loss (CAG, 2010)
The Supreme Court cancelled all 122 licences in 2012; a special CBI court acquitted all accused in 2017. The CBI's appeal is pending in the Delhi High Court.
2008Unresolved
Union government
Cash-for-votes
₹1 crore in cash displayed in the Lok Sabha
A parliamentary committee found no evidence against either; in 2013 a court discharged most accused, and the money trail was never traced.

Manmohan Singh · UPA-II

2009–2014, 11 cases

2010Unresolved
Union government
Commonwealth Games contracts
Over ₹90 crore alleged loss on the timing-scoring contract (CBI, 2011)
A court accepted the ED's money-laundering closure report in April 2025 after a related CBI case closed; Kalmadi was never convicted and died in January 2026.
2010Resigned
Maharashtra
Adarsh Housing Society
Chavan resigned as Chief Minister in 2010; in 2017 the Bombay High Court set aside the sanction to prosecute him.
2012Convictions
Union government
Coal block allocations (“Coalgate”)
₹1.86 lakh crore estimated windfall to private allottees (CAG, 2012)
The Supreme Court cancelled 214 allocations in 2014. Former coal secretary H.C. Gupta and others have been convicted in several cases (under appeal); other cases ended in acquittal.
2012Unresolved
Union government
Delhi airport concessions
₹1,63,557 crore potential earnings to the operator over 60 years (CAG — not a computed loss)
These remain audit findings; no prosecution followed.
2012Still in court
Goa
Goa illegal mining
₹35,000 crore (Justice M.B. Shah Commission estimate)
A court discharged Kamat in one case in 2025; another chargesheet against him remains.
2012Unresolved
Maharashtra
Maharashtra irrigation allegations
About ₹70,000 crore spent for a ~0.1% rise in irrigation (spending, not a loss estimate)
The state ACB told the High Court in 2019 that Pawar was not involved; probes into other tenders continued.
2012Still in court
Union government
National Herald / Young Indian
AJL properties worth over ₹2,000 crore allegedly acquired for ₹50 lakh (ED allegation)
A trial court declined to take cognisance of the ED chargesheet in December 2025; the ED's challenge is listed in the Delhi High Court for 12 October 2026.
2012Still in court
Union government
Tatra trucks bribe-offer allegation
₹14 crore alleged bribe offer (per the Army chief)
The CBI closed the procurement probe in 2014; the trial in the bribe-offer case is under way.
2012Still in court
Haryana
Robert Vadra–DLF land deal
Bought for ₹7.5 crore in 2008, sold to DLF for ₹58 crore (ED allegation)
A Delhi court took cognisance of the ED's money-laundering chargesheet in April 2026 and granted Vadra bail; no court has found guilt.
2013Still in court
Union government
AgustaWestland VVIP helicopters
€556 million contract; the ED alleges a middleman received about €30 million
India cancelled the contract in 2014; Italy's top court acquitted the company executives in 2019; middleman Christian Michel was extradited in 2018 and no Indian verdict has been delivered.
2013Resigned
Union government
Railway Board cash-for-post
₹90 lakh allegedly paid for a Railway Board post (CBI)
Bansal resigned and is a prosecution witness, not an accused; the trial of ten accused continues.

Amounts are the estimating body's own figure (CAG, CBI, a commission or a court): an estimate or allegation, not a proven loss. Each outcome is stated as of October 2026. Cases that involved several parties, such as the Jain hawala diaries, are left out.

Years

2020

2020
Harm to the nation
Farm laws 2020: Supreme Court stay and repeal
In September 2020 Parliament passed three farm laws that changed how farmers could sell their produce: allowing trade outside government-regulated wholesale markets, creating a framework for agreements with buyers, and relaxing stock limits on some food items. Farmers protested across the country, and on 12 January 2021 the Supreme Court put the three laws on hold, saying this could calm the hurt feelings of farmers and bring them back to discussions; the Court also set up a committee to hear the government, farmers and others and report back. The Prime Minister announced the laws would be repealed on 19 November 2021, the Agriculture Minister introduced the Repeal Bill in the Lok Sabha on 29 November 2021, and the three laws now stand repealed.
A law or decision by the government
Three farm Acts 2020 and repeal
2020
Harm to the nation
Farm laws 2020: Supreme Court stay and repeal
In September 2020 Parliament passed three farm laws that changed how farmers could sell their produce: allowing trade outside government-regulated wholesale markets, creating a framework for agreements with buyers, and relaxing stock limits on some food items. Farmers protested across the country, and on 12 January 2021 the Supreme Court put the three laws on hold, saying this could calm the hurt feelings of farmers and bring them back to discussions; the Court also set up a committee to hear the government, farmers and others and report back. The Prime Minister announced the laws would be repealed on 19 November 2021, the Agriculture Minister introduced the Repeal Bill in the Lok Sabha on 29 November 2021, and the three laws now stand repealed.
A law or decision by the government
Read the full story, step by stepHide the full story
This is something a government or Parliament decided, or a rule a court laid down. It is not a criminal case against anyone.
What happened
In September 2020 Parliament passed three farm laws that changed how farmers could sell their produce: allowing trade outside government-regulated wholesale markets, creating a framework for agreements with buyers, and relaxing stock limits on some food items. Farmers protested across the country, and on 12 January 2021 the Supreme Court put the three laws on hold, saying this could calm the hurt feelings of farmers and bring them back to discussions; the Court also set up a committee to hear the government, farmers and others and report back. The Prime Minister announced the laws would be repealed on 19 November 2021, the Agriculture Minister introduced the Repeal Bill in the Lok Sabha on 29 November 2021, and the three laws now stand repealed.
Who did it
Three farm Acts 2020 and repeal
The evidence
The three farm laws were: (1) the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; (2) the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020; and (3) the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020. [2][7]
The Lok Sabha passed the farm Acts on 17 September 2020 and the Rajya Sabha passed them on 20 September 2020 through a voice vote. [7]
The Supreme Court stayed the implementation of all three farm laws on 12 January 2021 "until further orders" and ordered that the Minimum Support Price system in existence before the laws be maintained. [2][7][8]
The Supreme Court's stated reason for the stay was that it "may assuage the hurt feelings of the farmers and encourage them to come to the negotiating table with confidence and good faith." [2]
The Supreme Court also said that while it would not stifle peaceful protest, the stay would be perceived as an achievement of the protest's purpose for the time and encourage farmers to return to their livelihoods. [2]
Where it stands today
The three farm laws stand repealed by Parliament. The sources do not record any court proceedings that continued after the repeal.
What was done
Parliament passed the three farm Acts in September 2020. On 12 January 2021 the Supreme Court stayed their implementation and appointed a committee. The government later decided to repeal the laws; the Agriculture Minister introduced the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 in the Lok Sabha on 29 November 2021 and the House accepted the motion to introduce it.
What it meant for the country
The record's strongest consequence is the human cost of the protests: a member told the Lok Sabha that more than 270 farmers died during the agitation, and the Supreme Court's stay order spoke of encouraging farmers to get back to their livelihoods to protect their own lives and health.
MP Anumula Revanth Reddy stated in the Lok Sabha on 16 March 2021 that more than 270 farmers had lost their lives protesting against the three farm laws. [1]
The Supreme Court's 12 January 2021 stay order said the stay would encourage farmers' bodies to get members back to their livelihoods "to protect their own lives and health and in order to protect the lives and properties of others." [2]
With the repeal of the three farm laws, the legal framework governing agricultural trade reverted to the pre-2020 position, as reported by Legistify. [9]
Step by step
2020-09-17
The Lok Sabha passed the three farm Acts: the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. [7]
2020-09-20
The Rajya Sabha passed the three farm Acts through a voice vote. [7]
2021-01-12
The Supreme Court (Rakesh Vaishnav v Union of India) passed an interim order: the implementation of the three farm laws "shall stand stayed until further orders"; the Minimum Support Price system in existence before the laws shall be maintained; and no farmer shall be dispossessed or deprived of title as a result of any action under the laws. The Court also constituted a committee including Shri Bhupinder Singh Mann, National President, Bhartiya Kisan Union and All India Kisan Coordination Committee, to hear the government, farmers’ bodies and other stakeholders and submit a report with recommendations. [2][7]
2021-03-16
In the Lok Sabha, MP Anumula Revanth Reddy stated that "more than 270 farmers have lost their lives protesting against the three farm laws" and asked for compensation for the families. [1]
2021-11-19
As reported by Legistify, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the three farm laws on this date. [9]
2021-11-29
In the Lok Sabha, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar moved to introduce the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, to repeal the three 2020 farm laws and amend the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The motion was accepted by the House. [3]
The documents
[1] Regarding Protest By Farmers Against The Farm Laws-Laid. on 16 March, 2021 Court, indiankanoon.org
[2] Rakesh Vaishnav vs Union Of India on 12 January, 2021 Court, indiankanoon.org
[3] Introduction Of The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021. on 29 November, 2021 Court, indiankanoon.org
[4] Dr. Maya D. Chablani vs Smt Radha Mittal & Ors. on 24 June, 2021 Court, indiankanoon.org
[5] A.Subramanian vs R.Pannerselvam on 8 February, 2021 Court, indiankanoon.org
[6] Manish Kumar vs Union Of India on 19 January, 2021 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
[7] 2020 Indian agriculture acts - Wikipedia Web, en.wikipedia.org
[8] The Supreme Court’s Interim Stay of the Farm Laws: Creating ... Research, scobserver.in
[9] Farm Laws 2020: What They Were and Why They Were Repealed Web, legistify.com
[10] India's top court orders stay on new farm laws that riled ... Press, reuters.com
[11] SUPREME COURT GRANTS INTERIM STAY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ... Web, legal60.com
Compiled from the documents cited, 12 Oct 2026
Three farm Acts 2020 and repeal

2021

2021
Pegasus: the Supreme Court's technical committee, 2021–22
Pegasus is spyware that was reported in July 2021 to have been used to compromise phone data of some persons in India. The Union government told Parliament the reports had no factual basis. On 27 October 2021, the Supreme Court appointed a technical committee of three experts in cyber security, digital forensics, networks and hardware, overseen by former Supreme Court judge Justice R.V. Raveendran. The cited record ends with the appointment of the committee.
Being investigated, nothing proven
Union government
2021
Pegasus: the Supreme Court's technical committee, 2021–22
Pegasus is spyware that was reported in July 2021 to have been used to compromise phone data of some persons in India. The Union government told Parliament the reports had no factual basis. On 27 October 2021, the Supreme Court appointed a technical committee of three experts in cyber security, digital forensics, networks and hardware, overseen by former Supreme Court judge Justice R.V. Raveendran. The cited record ends with the appointment of the committee.
Being investigated, nothing proven
Read the full story, step by stepHide the full story
Investigators or a court are still looking into this. Nothing has been proved.
What happened
Pegasus is spyware that was reported in July 2021 to have been used to compromise phone data of some persons in India. The Union government told Parliament the reports had no factual basis. On 27 October 2021, the Supreme Court appointed a technical committee of three experts in cyber security, digital forensics, networks and hardware, overseen by former Supreme Court judge Justice R.V. Raveendran. The cited record ends with the appointment of the committee.
Who did it
Union government
The evidence
On 19 July 2021, the government told the Lok Sabha that the Pegasus reports had no factual basis and were denied by all parties, including in the Supreme Court; it said India has a review committee headed by the Union Cabinet Secretary for lawful interception. [2]
On 27 October 2021, the Supreme Court in Manohar Lal Sharma v Union of India constituted a Technical Committee of three members, including experts in cyber security, digital forensics, networks and hardware, overseen by Justice R.V. Raveendran, former Supreme Court judge. [9]
Where it stands today
Before the Supreme Court of India in Manohar Lal Sharma v Union of India.
What was done
The Union government told Parliament on 19 July 2021 that the Pegasus reports had no factual basis and that lawful interception in India is overseen by a review committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The Supreme Court on 27 October 2021 constituted a Technical Committee of three experts, overseen by Justice R.V. Raveendran, to examine the matter.
Step by step
2021-07-19
In the Lok Sabha, the government stated that the press reports of Pegasus use had no factual basis and were denied by all parties, including in the Supreme Court; it said India has a review committee headed by the Union Cabinet Secretary for lawful interception. [2]
2021-10-27
The Supreme Court in Manohar Lal Sharma v Union of India said: "With the above observations, we constitute a Technical Committee comprising of three members, including those who are experts in cyber security, digital forensics, networks and hardware, whose functioning will be overseen by Justice R.V. Raveendran, former Judge, Supreme Court of India." [9]
The documents
[1] Union Of India vs N Murugesan on 7 October, 2021 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
[2] Reported Alleged Use Of Spyware Pegasus To Compromise Phone ... Court, indiankanoon.org
[3] Pegasus Holdings Iii, Llc vs Sebi on 28 June, 2024 Court, indiankanoon.org
[4] Pegasus Holdings Iii, Llc vs Securities And Exchange Board Of ... Court, indiankanoon.org
[5] Pegasus Assets Reconstruction P.Ltd. vs M/S Haryana Concast ... Court, indiankanoon.org
[6] Pegasus Assets Reconstruction P.Ltd. vs M/S Haryana Concast ... Court, indiankanoon.org
[7] Pegasus Assets Reconstruction ... vs M/S Haryana Concast ... Court, indiankanoon.org
[8] Pegasus Assets Reconstruction P.Ltd vs M/S Haryana Concast ... Court, indiankanoon.org
[9] Manohar Lal Sharma vs Union Of India on 27 October, 2021 Court, indiankanoon.org
Compiled from the documents cited, 1 Oct 2026
Union government
2021
Harm to the nation
Violence after the 2021 West Bengal election: the High Court handed murder and rape cases to the CBI
After the 2021 West Bengal election results there were reports of murders, rapes and attacks on political workers. The Calcutta High Court, acting on a report by the National Human Rights Commission, ordered the CBI to investigate the murder and rape cases and a special police team to investigate the rest. The CBI has charged 38 people in one murder case. The Supreme Court has paused the trials for now and refused the CBI's request to move them out of the state.
Being investigated, nothing proven
2021 West Bengal post-poll violence
2021
Harm to the nation
Violence after the 2021 West Bengal election: the High Court handed murder and rape cases to the CBI
After the 2021 West Bengal election results there were reports of murders, rapes and attacks on political workers. The Calcutta High Court, acting on a report by the National Human Rights Commission, ordered the CBI to investigate the murder and rape cases and a special police team to investigate the rest. The CBI has charged 38 people in one murder case. The Supreme Court has paused the trials for now and refused the CBI's request to move them out of the state.
Being investigated, nothing proven
Read the full story, step by stepHide the full story
Investigators or a court are still looking into this. Nothing has been proved.
What happened
After the 2021 West Bengal election results there were reports of murders, rapes and attacks on political workers. The Calcutta High Court, acting on a report by the National Human Rights Commission, ordered the CBI to investigate the murder and rape cases and a special police team to investigate the rest. The CBI has charged 38 people in one murder case. The Supreme Court has paused the trials for now and refused the CBI's request to move them out of the state.
Who did it
2021 West Bengal post-poll violence
The evidence
The NHRC took suo motu cognizance on 4 May 2021 of media reports of deaths in alleged post-poll violence and directed a fact-finding team to conduct a spot enquiry. [9]
The NHRC committee submitted its report to the Calcutta High Court on 13 July 2021. [1][5]
On 19 August 2021, the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation into alleged murder and rape cases and a SIT for other offences, accepting NHRC recommendations. [5][3]
The CBI registered a case on 25 August 2021 by taking over the Narkeldanga Police Station FIR related to the alleged murder of Avijit Sarkar. [2]
The CBI filed chargesheets and supplementary chargesheets against 38 accused persons in 2021 and 2025, including Gopal Das alias Bishal Paul, Paresh Pal, Swapan Samaddar and Papiya Ghosh. [2]
Where it stands today
The Narkeldanga murder case is under trial in the Court of Learned City Sessions Judge, Calcutta, but the Supreme Court has stayed trial court proceedings in West Bengal post-poll violence cases. The Supreme Court has refused the CBI's transfer plea and is seized of a West Bengal government suit challenging the CBI's jurisdiction. The NHRC report has been shared with parties as directed by the Calcutta High Court.
What was done
The Calcutta High Court directed a CBI investigation into alleged murder and rape cases and a court-monitored SIT for other offences, accepting NHRC recommendations. The CBI took over FIRs, filed chargesheets and supplementary chargesheets against 38 accused in one case, and arrested proclaimed offenders. The Supreme Court stayed trial proceedings and later admonished the CBI for its plea to transfer cases outside West Bengal.
What it meant for the country
The record shows judicial and NHRC findings that victims' complaints were not registered and the state government showed apathy, leading to CBI and SIT probes and chargesheets, while trial proceedings were later stayed over witness safety concerns.
The Calcutta High Court recorded 'definite and proved allegations that complaints filed by the victims of post-poll violence were not registered' and that West Bengal police 'have not properly responded to allegations of inaction'. [5]
The NHRC committee report stated that the violence reflected 'the appalling apathy of the State government towards plight of victims' and recommended a CBI probe and trial outside the state. [16]
The CBI filed chargesheets and supplementary chargesheets against 38 accused persons in one murder case, including a then TMC MLA and then TMC councillors. [2]
The Supreme Court stayed trial court proceedings in West Bengal post-poll violence cases after the CBI alleged that witnesses and counsel were being threatened. [7]
The Supreme Court admonished the CBI for 'scandalous allegations' against the West Bengal judiciary and refused to entertain its plea to transfer 45 cases outside the state. [4][14]
Step by step
2021-05-04
The National Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognizance of media reports of deaths in alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal on 3 May 2021 and directed its DIG (Investigation) to constitute a fact-finding team to conduct a spot enquiry and submit a report within two weeks. [9]
2021-06-18
The Calcutta High Court directed the NHRC to examine all the cases, as reported by Frontline. [11]
2021-07-13
The NHRC Committee submitted its report to the Calcutta High Court. [1][5][16]
2021-08-19
The Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation into alleged murder and rape cases and a SIT for other offences, accepting the NHRC panel's recommendations. The court said the matters would be placed before a division bench on 4 October 2021 for other issues in the NHRC report. [5][3][2][15]
2021-08-25
The CBI registered a case by taking over the Narkeldanga Police Station FIR related to the alleged murder of Avijit Sarkar on 2 May 2021 at Sitalatala Lane, Kolkata. [2]
2024-09-20
The Supreme Court pulled up the CBI for making 'scandalous allegations' against the West Bengal judiciary and refused to entertain the agency's plea seeking transfer of 45 post-poll violence cases outside the state. [4][14]
2026-08-11
The CBI arrested proclaimed offender Gopal Das alias Bishal Paul from Rabindranagar in North 24 Parganas in connection with a 2021 post-poll violence murder case. He was produced before a court in Calcutta and remanded to judicial custody. [2]
2026-09-29
The CBI arrested proclaimed offender Jharna Mistry in connection with a 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence murder case involving the killing of Sova R Mondal. [12][15][17]
The documents
[1] NHRC Official, nhrc.nic.in
[2] CBI arrests Gopal Das in West Bengal post-poll violence case Web, thenewsmill.com
[3] Bengal post-poll violence: Calcutta High Court orders CBI ... Press, economictimes.indiatimes.com
[4] SC pulls up CBI for allegations against WB judiciary in post-poll ... Press, hindustantimes.com
[5] West Bengal post-poll violence: Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe ... Press, newindianexpress.com
[6] West Bengal| Supreme Court Terminates Trials Over Post-Poll Violence Web, lawchakra.in
[7] "Supreme Court Halts Trial Court Proceedings in West Bengal Post-Poll ... Web, thewalkers.co.in
[8] 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence - Wikipedia Web, en.wikipedia.org
[9] NHRC takes cognizance of alleged Post-poll violence in West Bengal and ... Official, nhrc.nic.in
[10] Murshidabad Violence Inquiry Report | PDF | Sexual Assault | Rape - Scribd Web, scribd.com
[11] Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe into post-poll violence ... Press, frontline.thehindu.com
[12] CBI arrests proclaimed offender Jharna Mistry in 2021 West Bengal post ... Press, economictimes.indiatimes.com
[13] The State Of West Bengal vs Union Of India on 10 July, 2024 Court, indiankanoon.org
[14] 2021 post-poll violence: Supreme Court pulls up CBI for ... Press, thehindu.com
[15] CBI arrests proclaimed offender in 2021 Bengal post-poll ... Web, nationpress.com
[16] NHRC report says post-poll violence in West Bengal a ... Press, frontline.thehindu.com
[17] CBI arrests proclaimed offender Jharna Mistry in 2021 West ... Web, english.hindusthansamachar.in
Compiled from the documents cited, 30 Sept 2026
2021 West Bengal post-poll violence

2022

2022
Land-for-jobs case: CBI chargesheet against Lalu Prasad and others
During Lalu Prasad's time as Railway Minister, Indian Railways had a policy of giving jobs to people whose land was taken for railway projects. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case in May 2022 alleging that land was transferred to his family in return for such jobs, and filed chargesheets naming Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others. A Delhi court granted bail to Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav. The case is pending before the Special CBI Court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi; on 4 December 2025 the court deferred its order on framing charges and asked the CBI to clarify the status of 103 accused.
Accused in court, not yet proven
Land-for-jobs scam
2022
Land-for-jobs case: CBI chargesheet against Lalu Prasad and others
During Lalu Prasad's time as Railway Minister, Indian Railways had a policy of giving jobs to people whose land was taken for railway projects. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case in May 2022 alleging that land was transferred to his family in return for such jobs, and filed chargesheets naming Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others. A Delhi court granted bail to Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav. The case is pending before the Special CBI Court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi; on 4 December 2025 the court deferred its order on framing charges and asked the CBI to clarify the status of 103 accused.
Accused in court, not yet proven
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Investigators have filed charges in court. The trial is not over, so nobody has been found guilty.
What happened
During Lalu Prasad's time as Railway Minister, Indian Railways had a policy of giving jobs to people whose land was taken for railway projects. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case in May 2022 alleging that land was transferred to his family in return for such jobs, and filed chargesheets naming Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others. A Delhi court granted bail to Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav. The case is pending before the Special CBI Court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi; on 4 December 2025 the court deferred its order on framing charges and asked the CBI to clarify the status of 103 accused.
Who did it
Land-for-jobs scam
The evidence
The Railway Board issued circular number 11/2010 RC V(i) dated 16.07.2010 with guidelines for providing jobs to family members of land losers in railway projects. [1]
The CBI registered case RC2202022E0007 on 18.05.2022 under Section 120-B IPC and Sections 11/12/13(2) read with 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act against then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and others. [5]
The CBI chargesheet named Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others, as reported by LawBeat. [6]
Amit Katyal was made a prosecution witness in the CBI chargesheet, not an accused, as recorded in a Delhi High Court judgment. [5]
A Delhi court granted bail to Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav; reports differ on the bond amount. [7][8]
Where it stands today
The CBI case is pending before the Special CBI Court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi. On 4 December 2025 the court deferred the order on framing charges and directed the CBI to clarify the status of 103 accused. Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav are on bail. The Supreme Court refused a plea to stay the trial court proceedings, as reported by LawBeat. The Enforcement Directorate has filed a first supplementary charge sheet in the related money laundering case, as reported by DNA. No final judgment has been reported in the sources.
What was done
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case on 18 May 2022 and filed chargesheets before the Special CBI Court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi, naming Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others. The Delhi court granted bail to Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav. The court deferred its order on framing charges and directed the CBI to clarify the status of 103 accused. The Enforcement Directorate filed a first supplementary charge sheet against Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav and others, as reported by DNA.
What it meant for the country
The sources record the registration of a case, chargesheets and bail orders, but do not state any loss figure, number of jobs involved, or final finding, so the consequences for the country are unclear.
The CBI's case, as recorded in a Delhi High Court judgment, alleged that land parcels were transferred to Lalu Prasad's family members and companies in return for Group-D railway appointments. [5]
Step by step
2004
Lalu Prasad Yadav was Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, as reported by Prime24Seven. [7]
2010-07-16
The Railway Board issued circular number 11/2010 RC V(i) laying down guidelines for providing jobs to family members of land losers in railway projects. [1]
2022
The CBI filed a chargesheet before the Special CBI Court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi, naming Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and others, as reported by LawBeat. [6]
2022-05-18
The CBI registered case RC2202022E0007 under Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 11/12/13(2) read with 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act against then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and others, alleging criminal conspiracy to abuse official position to obtain land parcels transferred to his family members and companies in return for Group-D railway jobs. [5]
2023
A Delhi court granted bail to Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi in relation to a fresh CBI chargesheet, as reported by LawBeat. [6]
2024-08-06
The Enforcement Directorate filed a first supplementary charge sheet against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and other accused; seven land parcels are involved, as reported by DNA. [10]
2024-10-06
A Delhi court granted bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav on a personal bond of ₹50,000 each, as reported by Prime24Seven; Business Standard reported bail to Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav on a surety of ₹1 lakh each. [7][8]
2025-07-18
The Supreme Court refused a plea by Lalu Prasad Yadav against an order refusing to stay the trial court's proceedings in the land-for-jobs case, as reported by LawBeat. [6]
2025-12-04
A Delhi court deferred the charge order against Lalu Yadav and directed the CBI to clarify the status of 103 accused, as reported by LawBeat. [6]
The documents
[1] Regarding Providing Jobs To The Land Losers In Railway Projects. on 28 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
[2] Prabhat Kumar vs Railway on 16 November, 2023 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
[3] Sk Yusuf vs M/O Railways on 8 August, 2023 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
[4] Sajjan Kumar vs C.B.I on 20 September, 2010 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
[5] Amit Katyal vs Directorate Of Enforcement on 3 November, 2023 Court, indiankanoon.org
[6] Land for Jobs Scam: Delhi Court Defers Charge Order Against Lalu Yadav ... Web, lawbeat.in
[7] Delhi Court Grants Bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav in Land ... Web, prime24seven.com
[8] Land-for-jobs case: Delhi court grants bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav and ... Press, business-standard.com
[9] Land-for-jobs case: Court grants bail to Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi ... Web, zeenews.india.com
[10] ‘Land-for-jobs scam’: Delhi court grants bail to Lalu Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav Web, dnaindia.com
Compiled from the documents cited, 12 Oct 2026
Land-for-jobs scam

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