The enforcement directorate (ED) on Friday raided 24 locations in national capital region (NCR), Patna, Ranchi and Mumbai including Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav’s residence in Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe in an alleged ‘land-for-jobs’ case.
People familiar with the development said “the raids are being conducted under prevention of money laundering act (PMLA) to gather evidence.”
Earlier this week, the central bureau of investigation (CBI) questioned Lalu Yadav on Tuesday in Delhi and Rabri Devi in Patna pertaining to the case.
On his parents’ questioning, Tejashwi had said on Monday that the CBI action a result of his family’s relentless opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“It is an open secret that probe agencies are acting against political opponents of the BJP and helping those who agree to align with that party,” the RJD leader had told reporters outside the Bihar assembly on Monday.
In September 2021, CBI had launched a preliminary enquiry (PE) – a precursor to the FIR – in the matter amid allegations that various persons were appointed as substitutes in Group D posts in different zones of Indian Railways between 2004 and 2009, without following guidelines, in exchange of land by unknown public servants.
Group D refers to basic railway jobs with the lowest pay.
The work involves maintenance of tracks, railway coaches, departments, stores, among others and will depend on the post you get.
CBI registered an FIR in the matter on May 18 last year naming Yadav, Rabri Devi and their two daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav besides unknown government officials. It had also raided 16 locations, including the residences of Lalu and Misa at that time.
