President grants prosecution nod against Lalu Prasad; BJP nervous before Bihar polls: RJD

The PMLA investigation in the case was initiated on the basis of an FIR lodged by CBI related to the land-for-job scam in railways accusing Lalu Prasad of indulging in corruption in appointments of Group D substitutes in the Railways during 2004-09. “The candidates or their family members were told to transfer land as a bribe in return for jobs in Indian Railways as per FIR. These land parcels were directly/indirectly, registered in the name of family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav. The CBI has also filed three chargesheets and two supplementary chargesheets in the matter,” an official said.

The ED has filed a prosecution complaint on January 8, 2024, against an alleged associate of the Prasad family, Amit Katyal, and Yadav’s wife and former CM Rabri Devi, MP daughter Misa Bharti, another daughter Hema Yadav, and two associated companies — A K Infosystems Pvt Ltd, and A B Exports Pvt Ltd before a Delhi court.

“A supplementary prosecution complaint against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and others, was also filed before the Special Court on September 6, 2024. The cognizance of the prosecution complaints against Lalu Prasad Yadav and family members has already been taken by the Special Court,” the official said.

Investigation has revealed that several land parcels were acquired in the name of family members, servants and beneficially owned company on nominal amounts to avoid detection and to conceal the proceeds of crime.

“The land acquired in the name of servants (Gaushala workers of Rabri Devi) were later on transferred to the family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav as gifts by way of gift deeds. The companies — A K Infosystems Pvt Ltd and A B Exports Pvt Ltd — were shell companies which received proceeds of crime for family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav,” an official said, adding that immovable properties were acquired in the companies by front men and shares were transferred to family members of Lalu Prasad for nominal amounts.

Reacting to the development, RJD national spokesperson Subodh Kumar Mehta told The Indian Express: “BJP has become nervous ahead of the 2025 Assembly polls. It has been a false narrative against our leader Lalu Prasad for fear of losing Assembly polls.”

“As Union railways minister, Lalu Prasad’s achievements were highly commendable,” Mehta said, adding, “CBI had closed the land-for-job case twice. It is up to the CBI to answer why they did it.”

“The President’s sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad is devoid of CBI conclusion on this particular case. This case is a classic example of irrational politics against the opponent,” he said.

Countering Mehta, Bihar BJP spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari said: “The President’s sanction is a natural consequence of the prosecution process. RJD often cries foul, accusing BJP of political vendetta. They should explain why he was convicted in a series of fodder scam cases. The RJD chief represents a culture of corruption in public life.”

JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said: “It’s no surprise that the President has given prosecution sanction against Lalu Prasad. He and his family members have been involved in several corruption charges. Can Lalu Prasad explain how he and his family members have acquired 43 bighas of land, worth Rs 468 crore only in Patna?”