In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed its first charge sheet in the railways land-for-jobs linked money laundering case. The prosecution complaint, or charge sheet, lists former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi and her MP daughter Misa Bharti as the key figures in the case. Additionally, an alleged “close associate” of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family, Amit Katyal, along with other individuals and companies, have been named in the charge sheet.
Details of the Case
The alleged scam dates back to the period when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as the railway minister in the UPA-1 government, from 2004 to 2009. The accusations involve the appointment of several individuals to Group “D” positions in various zones of the Indian Railways. It is claimed that, in exchange for these jobs, people transferred their land to the family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav and a connected company named AK Infosystems Private Limited.
Legal Proceedings
The ED has filed the charge sheet before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi. The court has scheduled the hearing for January 16. Amit Katyal, a key figure in the case, was arrested by the ED in November the previous year. Notably, Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, have been summoned by the agency but have not yet deposed.
CBI’s Involvement
The money laundering case stems from a complaint lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Prior to the ED’s charge sheet, the CBI had already filed a charge sheet in this case, providing a multi-agency investigation into the alleged wrongdoings during the mentioned period.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the rail land-for-jobs money laundering case continues to draw attention, shedding light on alleged irregularities during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as the railway minister.
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