Lalu Yadav and her family member obtained illegal gratification in the form of agricultural plots in exchange for railway work: ED

New Delhi (India), September 27 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in its supplementary chargesheet (chargesheet) filed in the Land for Jobs scam case has accused Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Railway Minister, and his family members obtaining illegal gratification in the form of plots of land in exchange for appointments in the Indian Railways.

These plots, which were acquired to consolidate holdings already owned by the Yadav family, have been classified as ‘proceeds of crime’ (PoC) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

According to the ED, Lalu Prasad Yadav, through his family and associates, orchestrated a criminal conspiracy to conceal the PoC takeover. He ensured that the plots were transferred in a way that prevented his direct involvement while still allowing benefits for his family.

The ED said its investigation revealed that land owners, mainly in Patna’s Mahua Bagh, were convinced to sell their land at depressed prices in exchange for the promise of employment in the railways. Several of these plots were located adjacent to land already owned by the Yadav family. Six of the seven plots were linked to Rabri Devi, wife of Lalu Prasad Yadav, and were obtained directly or indirectly.

It said that during its investigation, ED found that M/s AK Infosystems Private Limited and other entities were being used to further conceal and obfuscate the links between land acquisition and land employment scheme. Continuing the conspiracy, close associate Amit Katyal transferred the ownership of AK Infosystems, which included valuable plots of land, to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Lalu’s son, for a nominal price.

Bhola Yadav, a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav, was considered a key facilitator of these transactions. He admitted to persuading landowners near the Yadav family farms to sell their properties in exchange for work on the railway. These transactions were arranged to benefit Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family and the properties were transferred through intermediaries such as Rabri Devi’s personal staff, namely Hridyanand Chaudhary and Lallan Chaudhary, the ED stated.

The properties in question were often presented as gifts from distant relatives, but Misa Bharti, Lalu Prasad’s daughter, denied knowing these people. The ED highlighted the use of donations and shell companies to conceal the illegal nature of land acquisition, which the ED mentioned in its chargesheet.

According to the Enforcement Directorate, while testifying before the PMLA, Tejashwi Yadav admitted that, as a shareholder of AK Infosystems, the company did not conduct any business activities and he did not know many details about its activities. He also confirmed his investments in a property in New Friends Colony, New Delhi, which were linked to the scam.

It also said that Lalu Prasad Yadav had consistently denied any involvement in land acquisition through illegal means and maintained that he was unaware of the companies and people involved in the transactions. However, the investigation contradicted these claims, showing his direct role in appointments and land deals.

The ED said Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family used their influence and official positions for personal gain by masking illegal transactions through a series of complex financial and entity maneuvers. The fraud involving the illegal transfer of land in exchange for government positions constitutes a significant breach of public trust and an abuse of power.

The Rouse Avenue court recently issued summonses to Lalu Prasad Yadav, his sons Tejaswi Yadav and other defendants in the Land for Job case for money laundering. The court additionally issued summons to Tej Pratap Yadav. The court summoned Akhileshwar Singh and his wife Kiran Devi.

Special CBI judge Vishal Gogne summoned Lalu Prasad Yadav and his two sons and six other accused. They were ordered to report on October 7.

The court found that the evidence was sufficient to continue proceedings against the defendants. The Tribunal held that the involvement of Tej Pratap Yadav could not be ruled out. He was also a director of AK Infosys Ltd. He was also summoned.

On August 6, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed an additional charge sheet against 11 accused. Four of them died.

The ED did not chargesheet Tej Pratap Yadav, but the court found enough material against him to issue summons.

Tej Pratap Yadav was called on land for the first time in a job case. (OR)