New Delhi: In a major growth, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi for questioning in reference to the alleged land-for-jobs case on Monday. Reports point out that supporters and members of the RJD have gathered close to the ED workplace in Patna to protest towards the ED transfer. The summonses have been dispatched by the ED workforce a number of days earlier, extending to each Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son, Tejashwi.
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#WATCH | Bihar: Outside visuals from the ED workplace in Patna.
RJD chief Lalu Yadav to seem in ED workplace in reference to the Land for job rip-off case. pic.twitter.com/onE2OBJ8lY
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024
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Reacting to the ED summons, RJD MP Manoj Jha stated, “This is not an ED summon, but a BJP summon… This will go on till 2024, till then please do not call it ED summons… Why should we be scared?” However, the BJP was fast to assault Lalu and his household over alleged corruption. Bihar’s new appointed Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary stated, “…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.”
Land-For-Jobs Allegations
The allegations towards Lalu and his members of the family pertain to appointments in Group ‘D’ positions throughout the Indian Railways between 2004 and 2009 in alternate for land transfers to the Yadav members of the family when Lalu Prasad was Union Railway Minister. The ED started its probe into the case, underneath the prison provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which is predicated on a criticism lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Delhi Cort Summons Rabri, Misa
In a associated growth, a Delhi Court has summoned former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and her daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, amongst others, in response to an Enforcement Directorate chargesheet linked to the railways land-for-jobs linked cash laundering affair.
Judge Vishal has mandated the looks of the accused earlier than the courtroom on February 9, citing substantial grounds to proceed with the case. Additionally, a manufacturing warrant has been issued towards businessman Amit Katyal, presently in judicial custody.
The ED’s cost sheet has implicated an alleged “close associate” of the Yadav household, Amit Katyal (49), together with railway worker Hridayanand Chaudhary and two firms, A Okay Infosystems Pvt. Ltd. and A B Exports Pvt. Ltd., underneath the directorship of Shariqul Bari.
While Katyal was apprehended final November in reference to the case, Lalu Prasad Yadav, although summoned, is but to testify earlier than the company. Conversely, Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar’s deputy chief minister, has already offered his testimony and has been summoned for additional questioning.
Backdrop of Allegations
The scandal allegedly transpired throughout Lalu Yadav’s tenure because the railway minister within the UPA-1 authorities, spanning from 2004 to 2009. It is purported that appointments to Group “D” positions throughout the Indian Railways have been facilitated in alternate for land transfers to the members of the family of the then railway minister and a associated entity, A Okay Infosystems Private Limited.
