By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to members of the Lalu Yadav family in connection with the alleged Land-for-Job scam. Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and former minister Tej Pratap Yadav were summoned for questioning on Tuesday, while Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav has been called to appear before the agency on Wednesday. Rabri Devi arrived at the ED’s zonal office in Patna, where she was questioned by officials for approximately four hours.
RJD MLA Tej Pratap Yadav was also summoned to the ED office by 2 pm but arrived at 12 noon. He too faced around four hours of questioning. After the interrogation, both Rabri Devi and Tej Pratap left for their respective homes.
While ED officials questioned Rabri Devi and Tej Pratap inside the office, a crowd of RJD workers gathered outside. Party leaders and supporters raised slogans in support of Lalu Yadav and his sons, chanting “Lalu Yadav Zindabad” and “Tej-Tejaswi Zindabad.” When Rabri Devi and Tej Pratap exited the premises, the crowd intensified their sloganeering.
Misa Bharti, Lalu Yadav’s daughter, was present outside the ED office during the questioning. She escorted her mother and brother to their car and briefed the media about the case. She stated, “Lalu Yadav will appear for questioning tomorrow.” Misa Bharti added, “Today, Rabri Devi and Tej Pratap Yadav were called by the ED for questioning. We arrived on time and cooperated fully by answering all their questions. They were performing their duty, and we fulfilled our responsibility. Our workers outside were also doing their duty. Lalu Yadav has been summoned for tomorrow.”
Allegations of Political Harassment
Meanwhile, RJD spokesperson Shakti Yadav accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using investigative agencies to harass RJD leaders ahead of the Bihar elections. He claimed, “The public is watching everything, and a fitting response will be given. Today, Rabri Devi and Tej Pratap Yadav appeared before the ED as per the summons. These institutions are acting at the behest of the government. Everyone knows that elections are approaching in Bihar. The BJP is terrified of the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s strength and is resorting to harassing our leaders through investigative agencies.”
Lalu Yadav has previously been questioned in this case. However, the ED has stated that new evidence has emerged, prompting his re-examination. He has been summoned to appear for questioning on Wednesday. Earlier, on 20 January 2024, the ED questioned Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu’s younger son, for nearly 10 hours. Tejashwi was again questioned on 30 January.
What is the Land-for-Job Scam?
The alleged scam dates back to the period between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Yadav served as the Railway Minister. It is claimed that appointments to Group D posts in the Jabalpur Zone of the West-Central Railway were made in exchange for land transfers. The land was allegedly transferred to the names of candidates’ family members and associates in return for jobs. On 18 May 2022, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, their two daughters, and several others. So far, 30 individuals have been named as accused in the scam.
Lalu Yadav Family Members on Bail
In August last year, the ED filed a 1,000-page supplementary chargesheet in the Land-for-Job scam, naming 11 accused, including Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. The five family members implicated in the case—Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav—are currently out on bail.
