The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, asking him to appear for questioning in connection with the land-for-jobs money laundering case on Wednesday, March 19 in Patna.
In a fresh development, Yadav’s family members, including his son Tej Pratap Yadav and wife Rabri Devi, have also been summoned for questioning by the federal probe agency on March 18. Their statements are to be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
However, sources indicate that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members are unlikely to appear before the ED. This comes as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had earlier been directed by the court on May 29, 2023, to submit a conclusive chargesheet in the case. The court had expressed displeasure over delays in filing the final chargesheet.
On October 4, 2023, Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, and wife Rabri Devi were granted bail in connection with an earlier chargesheet filed in the Land-for-Jobs Scam case.
According to the CBI, the second chargesheet names 17 accused, including the former Union Railway Minister, his family members, a former General Manager of West Central Railways (WCR), two Chief Personnel Officers (CPOs) of WCR, and private individuals linked to the alleged scam.
The case revolves around allegations that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister, jobs were allegedly provided in exchange for land parcels acquired at throwaway prices. The ED is probing the financial transactions linked to the scam.
