According to sources, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has charged former Bihar chief minister and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti, and 13 other people in connection with an alleged land-for-jobs scam that occurred while he was working for the railways.
Soumya Raghavan, a former general manager of the railways, is also listed as a defendant in the charge sheet that was recently submitted to a special CBI court. As the railway board’s finance commissioner, Raghavan retired. On September 23, 2021, the CBI opened a preliminary investigation into the suspected railroad scam, which was later upgraded to a FIR on May 18.
Also Read: ‘E-Rupee will enhance India’s digital economy’ says RBI
According to the charge sheet, the individuals were hired by the railways as stand-ins in exchange for land that was either held in their names or the names of their close relatives. This land was bought at far less than market prices and less than circle rates. Seven candidates are also listed among the accused.
According to the CBI, the land transfers were accomplished through documents in Rabri Devi and her daughters Bharti and Hema Yadav’s names. Furthermore, the candidates presented forged attested documents to the ministry of railroads, according to the sources, who also claimed that they had utilized phony transfer certificates.
The national agency claims that Prasad’s family members bought land in Patna that is 1.05 lakh square feet in size by paying the sellers cash. Bhola Yadav, a close associate of Prasad’s, was detained by the CBI in Delhi in connection with the suspected scheme in July.
Also Read: Singapore Health Ministry to disband all vaccination regulations from next week
Additionally, the CBI searched Yadav’s four properties, two of which were in Patna and the other in Darbhanga (both in Bihar), and found evidence in the form of documents and a diary in his family home.
Between 2005 until 2009, Yadav served as Prasad’s officer on special duty (OSD) while the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power. During his interrogation, Yadav’s involvement in the scheme came to light, a CBI official had earlier claimed.
