New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday searched properties of two Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders in Bihar in the land-for-jobs case.
The probe agency raided nine locations in Bihar’s Patna and Arrah linked to leaders MLA Kiran Devi and former legislator Arun Yadav, and also places in Noida, Delhi and Gurugram related to Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar, Prem Chand Gupta.
The CBI has been probing former Bihar chief minister and Union Railways minister Lalu Parasad Yadav and his family members for the alleged gift of land parcels to the Yadav family in lieu of jobs. The jobs in the Railways were apparently given when Prasad was Railways minister from 2004 to 2009.
The CBI has already filed a chargesheet in the case against Prasad, wife Rabri Devi and 14 others under charges of criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The probe agency has quizzed members of the Yadav family — including Lalu and Rabri Devi – to ascertain the money-trail and any larger conspiracy.
There was sharp criticism from the opposition after Lalu was questioned for hours in March, since he has been ill for some time.
Lalu Prasad’s son and Bihar Deputy chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has said the CBI action was a result of his family’s “relentless opposition” to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He also said as Railways minister, his father had “no powers” to give employment in exchange of favours.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has been convicted in five fodder scam cases — relating to the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 950 crore public funds from government treasuries in various districts of undivided Bihar.
Also read: ‘Jobs for land, payments through shell companies’ — what CBI, ED are probing against Lalu & family