Ashish Ranjan
Raids against Lalu Prasad’s family: Saturday, the Enforcement Directorate announced that Rs 1 crore in unaccounted cash and Rs 600 crore in criminal proceeds were seized in searches against the family of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad in connection with the investigation into the railways land-for-job money laundering case.
“An investigation is underway to uncover additional investments made by Lalu Prasad’s family in real estate and other sectors,” the ED said.Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches in at least 24 locations purportedly associated with Lalu Prasad, his son and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, and their three daughters.
The “scam” dates back to 2004-2009, when Lalu was railway minister in the Congress-led UPA government, and involves his alleged misuse of office to give employment to individuals in exchange for land plots transferred at nominal prices to the RJD chief’s relatives.During the searches, the ED seized Rs 53 lakh in cash, $1,900 in foreign currency, 540 gms of gold bullion, over 1.5 kg of gold jewellery, and incriminating documents and electronic devices.
Also Read | Pulwama widows row: Rajasthan BJP leaders and workers detained during protest in Jaipur
The ED searches occurred shortly after the CBI questioned Lalu and his wife Rabri Devi in its land-for-job fraud case. During Lalu’s tenure as railways minister from 2004 to 2009, a number of Biharis were purportedly appointed to Group D positions in various Indian Railways zones.
