Land-For-Jobs Case: Lalu Prasad Yadav Grilled By ED For 9 Hours, Tejashwi To Appear Tomorrow

RJD President Lalu Prasad appeared before the ED a day after JD(U) president and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar ditched the 'Mahagathbandhan' in which the RJD was the largest constituent.

Lalu Prasad appears before ED in Patna for questioning

Source : pti

New Delhi: In a session lasting over nine hours, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) grilled Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Monday. The interrogation is part of the ongoing investigation in connection with the central agency's money laundering probe into the alleged land-for-jobs scam, officials said, as per news agency PTI. Prasad, accompanied by his daughter Misa Bharti, arrived at the ED office in Patna for questioning around 11 am and left at 8.50 pm.

 

According to news agency ANI, a large number of RJD workers were present outside when Lalu Prasad Yadav left the ED office in Patna.

#WATCH | Bihar | RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav leaves from the ED office in Patna after around 9 hours of questioning in connection with the Land for Job scam case.

A large number of RJD workers are present here. pic.twitter.com/snZUnprIG9

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

RJD president appeared before the central agency a day after JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ditched the 'Mahagathbandhan' in which the RJD was the largest constituent and the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A to form a new government in the state with the support of the BJP.

The central agency had on January 19 issued a fresh summons for questioning Lalu and his son Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the case. The summons notice was handed over by ED to Prasad's wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi’s residence in Patna. Both were asked to appear before the ED officials on January 29 and 30 respectively, reported PTI.

Centre Targeting Opposition Leaders Through ED And CBI: Lalu Yadav's Daughter Misa Bharti

Earlier, talking to reporters, before entering the ED office, Misa Bharti, daughter of Lalu Yadav, said, “Whenever any agency calls our family members for questioning…, we go there, cooperate with them and answer all their queries. Because of his health condition, it is difficult for him (Prasad) to move on his own. Someone has to accompany him whenever he goes somewhere". 

Expressing concern about the timing of the investigation, Bharti alleged, "It’s quite obvious that as the Lok Sabha polls are approaching, the Centre is targeting opposition leaders through the ED and CBI", as quoted by PTI.

Adding to the concerns, Prasad's daughter based in Singapore, Rohini Acharya, claimed, "Everyone knows about the health condition of my father… he can’t even walk without support. Despite that, ED officials did not allow any assistant to enter their office and accompany him. It’s inhuman behaviour... shame on you and your bosses."

Acharya further warned, "If something happens to my father today, ‘chameleon’ (targeting Nitish Kumar) along with the CBI and ED will be held responsible. The lion (Prasad) is alone but not weak."

According to PTI,  a team of its officials from Delhi reached Patna on Sunday to question the RJD leader in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs scam.