/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24016885/STK093_Google_04.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24808816/Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_____Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_2023_7_25_94252.263_1440p_streamshot.png)
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday carried out searches at several places, including the premises of RJD MLA Kiran Devi and Rajya Sabha member Prem Chand Gupta, in connection with the Indian Railways land-for-job scam. According to CBI sources, raids are being conducted at nine places in four states – Bihar, UP, Delhi and Haryana.
CBI sources said the searches were conducted after the alleged role of the two leaders in the scam came to the fore. He said the CBI raided the premises of Kiran Devi and her husband Arun Singh in Arrah and Patna in Bihar and Gupta’s premises in Gurugram, Rewari, Noida and Delhi.
Why is the CBI probing the job-in-land scam?
It is alleged that during RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s tenure as Union Railway Minister from 2004-2009, appointments were made in the Central Railway in violation of recruitment rules and procedures. No advertisement or public notice was issued for the appointments, but some residents of Patna were appointed as officiators in various zonal railways located in Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hajipur, it is alleged.
The CBI also alleged that the RJD supremo offered Group D railway posts in exchange for plots of land in the names of his family members, including his daughters and son Tejashwi Yadav.
Earlier, in July 2022, the CBI had arrested Bhola Yadav, who had served as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Lalu Prasad when the latter was Railway Minister, in connection with the case. Around 16 accused were named in the charge sheet filed on October 10 last year on charges of criminal conspiracy and corruption. Lalu Prasad’s daughter Misa Bharti and several others have also been named in the final CBI report.
The CBI charge sheet states that a case was registered against Lalu Prasad, his family members and several others as a result of preliminary investigation. The FIR alleged that some people, despite being residents of Patna, were appointed as replacements to Group-D posts in various railway zones of Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hajipur between 2004 and 2009.
In return, the individuals or their families allegedly transferred their lands in the name of Lalu Yadav’s family and a business called AK Infosystems Pvt Ltd, which was later acquired by the RJD supremo’s family.
