PATNA: Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav confronted intense questioning by the (*9*) Directorate (ED) for roughly 9 hours in reference to the Land-for-Jobs rip-off case on Monday. The extended interrogation spurred a robust response from his household, notably his daughter Misa Bharti, who lambasted the actions as indicative of Prime Minister Modi’s apprehension.
PM Modi Is Scared: Misa Bharti
Bharti criticized the Centre, insinuating that the probe company’s actions towards her father mirrored the central authorities’s intimidation ways. “He (Lalu) cannot eat himself, someone will have to feed him. We do not know whether he has eaten or not. No ED official is ready to speak…Since elections are near, the PM is scared and will do such things only. This government can (arrest) my father also, but what will they get by arresting a sick man,” Misa mentioned.
Following his interrogation, a big gathering of RJD supporters congregated exterior the probe company’s workplace in Patna, expressing solidarity with Yadav. With looming elections, Bharti speculated that the PM’s purported worry was driving such aggressive actions. She emphasised the futility of focusing on ailing people for political acquire.
RJD staff echoed Bharti’s sentiments, accusing the federal government of using harassment ways to impede their election methods for 2024. RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha accused the BJP of orchestrating politically motivated summons, branding them as BJP’s actions slightly than ED summons.
In response, the BJP, now part of the Nitish Kumar-led state authorities, pointed fingers on the RJD, alleging deep-rooted corruption inside its ranks. “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,” Bihar BJP unit chief and now state Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chowdhary mentioned.
Misa Bharti and different Yadav relations lamented their alleged mistreatment, claiming they had been barred from accompanying Yadav throughout his ED interrogation. Highlighting Yadav’s frail well being situation, his household emphasised his medical vulnerabilities, significantly following a kidney transplant surgical procedure. “People across the country know that Lalu ji is not well, he has undergone a kidney transplant, he is suffering from many diseases, and the biggest one is the age factor,” Misa mentioned after providing prayers at Shakti Dham Temple.
Allegations Against Lalu Yadav
Yadav is beneath scrutiny for his purported involvement within the Land for Jobs rip-off, which allegedly transpired throughout his tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. Apart from the RJD nationwide president, the chargesheet additionally contains the identify of the then Railway General Manager. In lieu of getting them appointed within the Railways, Lalu Prasad Yadav allegedly obtained lands transferred owned by candidates and their relations within the names of his spouse Rabri Devi and daughter Misa Bharti on the market consideration, which was a lot lower than the prevailing circle charges in addition to the prevailing market charges.
The CBI filed the chargesheet in October final 12 months towards former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, their daughter Misa Bharti, and 13 others within the land-for-jobs rip-off. According to the CBI, the individuals had been first recruited as substitutes in Group D posts within the Railways and had been regularised when their households made a land deal. The CBI is probing the allegations of taking land for a bribe in lieu of a job within the Railways.
At the identical time, ED is investigating the case of cash laundering. The CBI additionally filed a chargesheet on this case. The CBI and ED are concurrently investigating the case, with allegations starting from land-for-job bribery schemes to potential cash laundering actions. Chargesheets have been filed towards Yadav and several other others concerned within the alleged rip-off.
