PATNA, JAN 22: Several senior politicians including chairman of state legislative council Jabir Hussain and state ministers have been served notices by income tax, seeking to explain their position in alleged presentation of expensive gifts to the daughter of Laloo Prasad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi on her marriage.A top department official pleading anonymity told newsmen that the notices were issued in course of verifications of the gifts including jewellery presented to Misa Bharati by them.``We have asked them to explain the source of income on procurement of gifts including gold and cash worth several lakhs of rupees.And as also to confirm whether they have actually presented such expensive gifts,'' he said.Hussain and former state assembly speaker Radhanandan Jhahad already replied to the notices which were being issued during the past fortnight, the official said here.IT sources said RJD supremo Laloo Yadav in his returns, soon after his daughter Missa's marriage, had described the details of the gifts.Prominent among those who have been served notices are; Finance Minister S P Tekriwal, Energy Minister Shyam Rajak, Land and Revenue Minister Ramai Ram, former ministers tulsi Singh, Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav, Hind Kesri Yadav, the official said.Issuance of these notices "have serious implications" for Laloo who is facing cases pertaining to income that is `unaccounted' for.In the event of any one against whom the notice had been served denied giving gift, Yadav had to explain his side, the sources said.RJD president is already facing trial in the court of designated CBI judge S K Pathak in connection with a disproportionate assets case for allegedly accumulating wealth worth over Rs. 47 lakh during his tenure as Chief Minister.The income tax department had earlier issued notices to Yadav to clear the tax liabilities to the tune of lakhs of rupees after undertaking the assessment of his income and assets between 1990 and 1997.
