In a significant development, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav faced interrogation by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Patna today, as part of the ongoing probe into the infamous land-for-jobs scam. The former Bihar Chief Minister appeared before the ED, accompanied by a throng of supporters who had gathered outside the ED office to vehemently oppose the questioning of their leader.
Lalu Prasad Yadav Grilled by Enforcement Directorate
The Land for Job money laundering case has taken a new turn with the issuance of summons by the Rouse Avenue court on Saturday to several key figures, including former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Lalu Yadav’s wife, along with Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary, and others who are accused in the case.
The Enforcement Directorate, in addition to Lalu Prasad Yadav, has implicated Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary, and Amit Katyal. Two companies, AB Export and AK Infosystems, have also found themselves entangled in the controversy.
As Lalu Prasad Yadav faced the ED’s questioning, a show of solidarity unfolded outside the ED office, with fervent supporters rallying behind the RJD chief. The charged atmosphere reflects the political implications and stakes involved in the investigation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which recently returned to power in Bihar after Nitish Kumar’s political realignment, seized the opportunity to cast aspersions on the RJD. Bihar BJP unit chief and now state Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chowdhary asserted, “…The people of the country know that these (Lalu Yadav) are corrupt people. Corruption is a jewel for them… I want to urge Tejashwi Yadav to tell the youth of Bihar the system of how to become millionaires within one and a half years.”
The roots of the land-for-jobs scam trace back to the period when Lalu Yadav served as the Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. The chargesheet includes not only the RJD national president but also the then Railway General Manager. The alleged modus operandi involved the transfer of lands owned by candidates and their families, in exchange for securing appointments in the Railways.
According to the ED’s PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) investigation, prime real estate in Patna and other locations was acquired illegally by the family of the former Rail Minister. The current market value of these land parcels is estimated to be over Rs 200 crore.
Startling revelations from the ED’s investigation point to the acquisition of four parcels of land by Lalu Yadav’s family for a mere Rs 7.5 lakhs from economically disadvantaged Group-D applicants. These lands were subsequently sold to Syed Abu Dojana, an ex-RJD MLA, by Rabri Devi in a deal rife with collusive dealings, resulting in staggering gains of Rs 3.5 crore.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed the chargesheet in October of the previous year, implicating former Bihar Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, their daughter Misa Bharti, and 13 others in the land-for-jobs scam. The investigation unveiled a pattern wherein individuals were initially recruited as substitutes in Group D posts in the Railways and subsequently regularized following land deals made by their families.
As the investigation progresses, the unfolding details shed light on the intricate web of corruption and alleged malpractices that have plagued the political landscape in Bihar. The questioning of Lalu Prasad Yadav by the ED serves as a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice and accountability in this high-profile case, with political repercussions echoing across the state. The coming days are likely to witness further developments as the investigation seeks to unravel the full extent of the alleged land-for-jobs scam and its impact on Bihar’s political landscape.
