NEW DELHI: In the wake of the Home Ministry's recent approval of a fresh chargesheet against Lalu Prasad Yadav in connection with the purported land-for-jobs scandal, a Delhi court has issued summons to the former Chief Minister of Bihar. Additionally, former railway officials have also been summoned to appear before the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on October 4, as per media reports.
On September 12, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the court that they had obtained the necessary authorization from the Home Ministry to prosecute Lalu Prasad Yadav in a renewed chargesheet related to this case. This development transpired after the court had granted the CBI an extension in July to secure the sanction required for the prosecution of the Bihar leader and other individuals implicated in the case.
The case revolves around allegations of corruption during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as the Railway Minister in the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2009. The CBI contends that individuals were appointed to positions within the Railways in exchange for land plots. Additionally, the investigative agency has asserted that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family acquired more than 1 lakh square feet of land for a meager sum of Rs 26 lakh, despite its cumulative market value at the time being approximately Rs 4.40 crore.
Details of the Allegations in the Land-For-Jobs Case: The CBI had initiated a case against Lalu Prasad Yadav and 15 others, including his wife, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, two daughters, and unidentified public servants on May 18, 2022.
Earlier this year, the CBI had filed an additional chargesheet against Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and others in connection with this scandal.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating potential money laundering aspects of the case, had announced in July that it had attached assets worth more than Rs 6 crore belonging to Lalu Prasad's family and associated companies.
"A CBI official had previously stated that during the period of 2004-2009, Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was then the Railway Minister, allegedly received financial benefits through the transfer of real estate assets to his family members in exchange for appointments to Group 'D' positions in various railway zones."
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