Land-for-jobs scam: Lalu Yadav, family's assets worth Rs. 6cr seized
What's the story
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday seized properties worth Rs. 6 crore linked to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their son and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in the alleged land-for-jobs scam, NDTV reported. This follows years of investigation and months of questioning of the leader and his family.
Details
Assets include Yadav family's Delhi, Bihar properties
The confiscated assets include the Yadav family's properties in Delhi and Bihar, including a residential residence in New Friends Colony, India Today reported. Notably, central probe agencies such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are currently probing a multi-crore scam involving the exchange of land for jobs in the Indian Railways, with Yadav and his family at the center.
Action
Yadav, family questioned under PMLA Act
The ED action reportedly followed four years of investigation into the case and the subsequent questioning of several accused. Former Railways Minister Yadav, his wife, and children, including Tejashwi and MP Misa Bharti, were quizzed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Notably, Yadav, Devi, and their daughter were granted bail by a Delhi court on March 15 in connection with the case.
Information
ED conducted raids in several states
In March, the ED conducted raids at different locations, including Tejashwi's residence in Delhi and other sites in the National Capital Region (NCR), Mumbai, Ranchi, and Patna, Bihar. These raids were part of its money laundering investigation into the land-for-jobs case.
Case
Scam allegedly involves Yadav, Devi, their daughters
This case originates from an FIR filed by the CBI in 2022. The agency alleged that the accused collaborated with the former Central Railway chief personnel officer and general manager to hire "substitutes" in exchange for land in their or their relatives' names. The scam allegedly involved Yadav, Devi, their daughters, and 12 others and happened while Yadav was the railway minister from 2004-09.