CBI’s New Corruption Case Against Lalu Yadav, Family Members, Searches On

The CBI today started searches at 15 locations linked to RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav

New Delhi, Patna: 

Weeks after he was granted bail in a fodder scam case, Lalu Prasad Yadav has been charged in a fresh corruption case over alleged irregularities in recruitment between 2004 and 2009 when he was Railway Minister.

Besides Mr Yadav, his daughter and other family members have also been named accused in the new case, sources said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today started searches at 15 locations linked to the Rashtriya Janata Dal patriarch, including his residences.

In the new case, the CBI has alleged that Mr Yadav and his family members received land and properties as bribe for giving out railway jobs.

The 73-year-old veteran leader walked out of jail last month after the Jharkhand High Court granted him bail in the ₹ 139 crore Doranda Treasury scam case. A CBI special court had in February sentenced him to five years in prison in the case. He was also fined ₹ 60 lakh.

The treasury scam case was the fifth fodder scam case in which Mr Yadav was convicted.

Visuals showed police personnel at the Patna residence of Mr Yadav’s wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi during the raids this morning.

RJD legislator Dr Mukesh Roshan said Mr Yadav is in Delhi and his son and party leader Tejashwi Yadav is also away. “Those in power are targeting Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav because they are aware of their popularity,” he alleged.

Senior party leader Alok Mehta said, “This is an attempt to finish off the Opposition. There is no basis for these cases. This is an attempt to silence criticism.”