In a significant turn of events, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav appeared before the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Patna for questioning regarding his alleged involvement in the land-for-jobs scam. The ED’s probe into the matter has taken center stage, drawing attention from RJD supporters and political adversaries alike.
The Rouse Avenue court recently issued summons to several prominent figures, including former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary, and others accused in the money laundering case related to the Land for Job scandal. The accusations extend beyond Lalu Prasad Yadav to include his family members and associates, as well as two companies, AB Export and AK Infosystems.
The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), now back in power in Bihar, seized the opportunity to claim that corruption was deeply rooted in the RJD. The state Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chowdhary, urged Tejashwi Yadav to reveal the alleged system through which individuals could amass wealth within a short span, emphasizing the BJP’s stance on the corruption allegations.
The land-for-jobs scam, dating back to Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, involves the alleged transfer of lands owned by job applicants and their families to Lalu’s wife, Rabri Devi, and daughter, Misa Bharti. The transactions were allegedly conducted at rates significantly lower than prevailing market rates, resulting in substantial gains for the Yadav family. The Enforcement Directorate’s investigation estimates the current market value of these lands at over ₹200 crore.
The ED uncovered details of a collusive deal where lands acquired for ₹7.5 lakhs from poor Group-D applicants were later sold to ex-RJD MLA Syed Abu Dojana by Rabri Devi, yielding a substantial profit of ₹3.5 crore.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had previously filed a chargesheet in October, naming Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, and others in connection with the scandal. According to the CBI, individuals were initially appointed as substitutes in Group D posts in the Railways and later regularized after their families engaged in land deals.
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s questioning at the ED office coincided with a significant political shift in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar, the nine-time Chief Minister, returned to the NDA fold. The RJD has accused the BJP of utilizing government agencies to target political rivals, emphasizing that the summons is perceived as a political move.
In response, Misa Bharti dismissed the ED summon as a “BJP summon,” alleging a political agenda behind the investigation. The RJD maintains its stance that the BJP is manipulating government agencies for political gains. As the investigation unfolds, the Bihar land-for-jobs scam continues to be a contentious issue, casting a shadow over the state’s political landscape.