IT dept summons Lalu's daughter Misa Bharti and husband in benami land case

NEW DELHI: The Income Tax Department on Wednesday summoned RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter Misa Bharti and her husband in connection with a 1,000 crore alleged benami property case. Bharti, a Rajya Sabha member, and her husband Shailesh Kumar were asked to appear before the investigating officer in the first week of June. Earlier this month, IT sleuths conducted raids and surveys at twenty two locations in the New Delhi and Gurugram in to ‘benami’ land deals worth 1,000 crore involving RJD Chief Lalu PrasadYadav and others. The summonses to Bharti and Kumar are part of the investigation and their statements will be recorded. According to PTI, the couple are alleged to have links with a firm-- Ms Mishail Packers and Printers Private Limited-- which is suspected to have entered into benami deals for purchase of a farm house in Delhi's Bijwasan area. The RJD chief, however, sought to put up a brave face after the raids, saying the saffron party doesn't have the guts to suppress his voice. Lalu alleged the BJP and RSS are trying to pressurise him, knowing that he will expose their 'lies, loot and jumlas.' "BJP does not have guts to suppress the voice of Lalu. If you press Lalu's voice, then millions of Lalus will emerge across the country. I am not afraid of empty threats," he said. He had also challenged the Centre to reveal the names of places where raids were conducted. "I am asking, please disclose the 22 locations which are being raided. They are creating media hype to damage public perception," he said. He alleged the Centre is letting loose the government machinery on him. "Our companies are in public domain, in guidelines of income tax. The IT department has all the details about my properties. Allegations of benami deals are a conspiracy to defame me. Even the Inauguration of an English TV news channel happened by taking a 'supari' against me," he had said.