The Enforcement Directorate (ED), currently investigating the money laundering aspect of the purported land-for-jobs scandal, has made allegations suggesting that an individual employed at the 'gaushala' affiliated with former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad's spouse, Rabri Devi, acquired property from an aspirant seeking employment with the railway and subsequently transferred it to Hema Yadav, the daughter of the RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Furthermore, the ED has asserted that AK Infosystems Private Limited and AB Exports Pvt Ltd were functioning as shell companies, channeling proceeds of illicit activities to family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav.
According to the central investigative agency, these companies procured immovable assets through proxies and subsequently transferred shares to Lalu Prasad Yadav's family members at nominal prices. Amit Katyal, a person associated with managing these companies for Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, was identified in the preliminary chargesheet filed earlier this month before a special PMLA court.
The chargesheet, filed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has listed Amit Katyal, Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti (Lalu Yadav's daughter), Hema Yadav, and Hridyanand Chaudhary as the accused parties.
Taking cognizance of the chargesheet on January 27, the special court has summoned the accused individuals to appear on February 9, 2024, to commence trial proceedings. Amit Katyal, who was arrested by the ED in November of the previous year, is currently in custody.
Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad, aged 75, underwent approximately 10 hours of questioning by the ED at its Patna office on Monday, amidst vociferous protests by a significant number of RJD supporters denouncing the BJP government.
Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad's son and former Bihar deputy chief minister, has been summoned for questioning in the case on Tuesday.
The ED's investigation was initiated based on an FIR filed by the CBI in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs scheme in 2022, which purportedly involved corrupt practices during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Union Railway Minister in the UPA-1 administration from 2004 to 2009.
In a search operation conducted last year on March 10, the ED seized cash amounting to Rs 1 crore and assets valued at approximately Rs 1.25 crore.
Additionally, the ED provisionally attached immovable properties valued at Rs 6.02 crore on July 29, 2023, as part of its ongoing investigation.
