Bihar Deputy Chief Minister’s house searched by ED in money laundering case

Bihar (10/03/2023): The Enforcement Directorate has initiated searches at more than 15 locations, including the residence of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, in connection with an alleged money laundering case involving Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.

The searches are also being conducted at premises linked to Yadav’s daughters and a former RJD MLA in various locations, including Patna, Phulwari Sharif, Delhi-NCR, Ranchi, and Mumbai.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently questioned Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, former Bihar Chief Ministers, and Tejashwi Yadav’s parents, in connection with the land-for-jobs case. The CBI case, registered in May 2022, names the Yadav family members and others on accusations of purchasing land at lower prices in exchange for jobs during Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister.

Besides Yadav and his family members, the case includes 12 others who allegedly received jobs in exchange for land. The CBI had filed a chargesheet against 16 individuals under charges of criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and all have been summoned to court on March 15.

The searches come amidst accusations by opposition parties of the misuse of central agencies for political purposes by the Centre. Eight opposition parties, including Tejashwi Yadav, had recently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that central agencies were targeting opposition leaders as an extended arm of the ruling dispensation.