The Rouse Avenue court has reserved its order on summoning former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tejaswi Yadav, and others in the "land for job" money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court is expected to announce its decision on August 24.
This case, involving high-profile political figures, has drawn significant attention due to its implications on corruption and abuse of power. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently filed a supplementary charge sheet that includes Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejaswi Yadav, and nine other individuals. Special Judge Vishal Gogne reviewed the charge sheet and the ED’s submissions before reserving the order.
The supplementary charge sheet was filed by the ED on August 6, naming several key figures, including Lallan Chaudhary, Hazari Rai, and Dharmender Kumar, among others.
The charge sheet includes 96 documents that the ED relies upon to build its case. The court had earlier granted the ED time to finalise its investigation and submit the charge sheet.
The investigation, led by the Enforcement Directorate, has uncovered what it claims to be a significant conspiracy involving the exchange of land for jobs within the Indian Railways during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as the Railway Minister.
The ED alleges that properties were acquired illegally by the Yadav family in exchange for providing jobs in the Railways. The agency claims that these land parcels, now valued at over Rs 200 crore, were acquired at meagre prices from Group-D job applicants, mostly from economically weaker sections.
The ED's investigation has revealed a complex web of transactions involving shell companies, benamidars, and ill-gotten wealth channelled into acquiring properties across prominent locations in Patna, Delhi, and other regions.
Among the properties under scrutiny is a four-storied bungalow in New Friends Colony, Delhi, registered under M/s A B Exports Private Limited, a company allegedly owned by Tejaswi Yadav. The property, valued at approximately Rs 150 crore, is suspected to have been purchased using the proceeds of crime.
In addition to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejaswi Yadav, other family members, including former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, have also been named in the charge sheet. The ED has alleged that these family members were direct beneficiaries of the proceeds from these illegal transactions.
The ED’s investigation further revealed that a significant amount of unaccounted cash, gold, and foreign currency were recovered during raids conducted in March at various locations across Delhi NCR, Patna, Mumbai, and Ranchi.
The total proceeds of crime detected so far amount to approximately Rs 600 crore, which includes immovable properties and financial transactions routed through various entities.
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