Patna: CBI on Friday simultaneously raided 16 locations in Delhi and Bihar after registering FIRs against the then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, his wife, two daughters and others in connection with the ‘ land for job’ scam in Railways during 2004 to 2009 when Prasad was Railway Minister in Centre’s Congress-led UPA government.
CBI sources said that raids were conducted at 16 locations in Delhi and Bihar including the residence of former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi in Patna and the residence of Rajya Sabha member Misa Bharti, the eldest daughter of Prasad in New Delhi. FIRs in land for job scam in Railways during the tenure of Prasad as Railway Minister were registered against him, his wife Rabri Devi, two daughters and 12 others including unknown public servants and private persons.
The FIRs alleged that the then Railway Minister and RJD president Prasad from 2004 to 2009, had obtained monetary advantages in the form of transfer of landed property in the name of his family members in lieu of appointments in Group ‘D’ posts in different zones of Railways.
It was further alleged that in lieu of getting jobs, the beneficiaries, who were residents of Patna themselves, or through their family members sold and gifted their land located in Patna in favour of the family members of Prasad and a private company controlled by family members, which was also involved in the transfer of such immovable properties in the name of his family members.
Sources said it was also alleged that no advertisement or any public notice was issued for such appointments in zonal Railways, yet the appointees who were residents of Patna were appointed in different Zonal Railways located at Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hazipur. It was further alleged that in continuation of this modus operandi, about 1,05,292 sq. feet land/ immovable properties located in Patna were acquired by Prasad’s family members through five sale deeds and two gift deeds, showing the payment made to seller in cash in most of the land transfer.
Searches were conducted on Friday at 16 places in Delhi, Patna & District Gopalganj of Bihar. At some locations search operations were over, but at other locations, raids were still on, sources added.
The CBI, however, refused to share details of recovery made during the raids, saying search operations were still on and other formalities were being completed.
