Land-For-Jobs Scam: Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti Among Others Named In ED Chargesheet

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday filed a chargesheet in the land for job scam in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court. In its chargesheet, the enforcement agency has mentioned the names of former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hima Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary along with Amit Katyal, reported ANI. 

Two firms have also been named as accused by the ED in its chargesheet. 

The Rouse Avenue court has directed the enforcement agency to file an e-copy of the chargesheet and documents by Tuesday itself and the matter has been listed for cognisance on January 16.

Katyal, who is allegedly linked to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav was apprehended by the ED in connection with money laundering probe in the land-for-jobs scam. 

Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet in the ‘Land for job’ scam in Rouse Avenue court, Delhi.
Bihar’s former CM Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hima Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary along with Amit Katyal have been named in this chargesheet. Two firms have also been accused.…

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2024

The alleged scam dates back to the time when Lalu Prasad was the Union railway minister in the UPA-1 cabinet. It has been alleged that between 2004 and 2009 several candidates were appointed to Group-D positions in various Indian Railways zones in excahnge for land to the family and friends of Lalu Prasad. 

Following a complaint initially lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation, a case was filed by the ED under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). 

As per the federal probe agency, no public notice or advertisement was issued for these appointments, and residents of Patna were allegedly appointed as substitutes in different zonal railways in Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Hazipur.

As part of the alleged quid pro quo, the candidates or their immediate family members reportedly sold land to Prasad’s family members at significantly discounted rates, up to one-fourth to one-fifth of the prevailing market rates, as per the CBI’s allegations.