Ex-Bihar CM Rabri Devi, Daughter Misa Bharti Under ED Probe For Land-For-Job Scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), a key agency in India that investigates financial crimes, has recently taken a significant step in the land-for-job scam case. They filed a chargesheet at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, which includes some big names. 

Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, her daughter Misa Bharti, and other individuals like Hima Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary, and Amit Katyal are mentioned in this chargesheet. Apart from these, two companies are also involved as accused.

This case is about a scam linked to the time when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Union railway minister from 2004 to 2009. The allegation is that jobs in the railways were given to certain people, and in return, Lalu Prasad’s family and friends received land as bribes.

The ED’s investigation follows an initial complaint by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI had earlier accused Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad’s son, and Rabri Devi, his wife, along with others in this case.

In detail, Amit Katyal is said to have close connections with Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav. He’s accused of having financial transactions with their family. Despite his lawyers arguing against his arrest, the court didn’t agree to stop the ED’s proceedings against him.

Last year, the ED conducted searches in several cities and found lots of cash, gold, and important documents. They estimate the total illegal wealth in this ‘land-for-job scam’ case to be around Rs 600 crore, including land and money transactions.

In addition to the ED, the CBI also filed a chargesheet last year against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav, among others. This chargesheet was based on new evidence that came up after their initial investigation.
The ED has already summoned Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi for questioning last December. They were asked to give statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The scam occurred during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as the railway minister, where jobs were allegedly exchanged for land benefits.