Tejashwi Yadav skips ED questioning in Land Scam Case

Patna: In the ongoing investigation of the land scam case linked to job appointments, Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister, was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning on January 5. However, he expressed his inability to appear before the ED, citing prior government engagements in Patna.

This marks the second instance of Tejashwi Yadav not complying with ED summons, having previously sought a rescheduled date through his lawyer after missing the initial summons on December 22. Despite the ED accommodating his request and issuing a second date, Tejashwi Yadav did not attend the questioning session once again.

Notably, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was also summoned by the ED on December 27, but he, too, failed to present himself at the ED office. The investigation stems from a land-for-jobs case, with the CBI conducting raids at Lalu Prasad Yadav’s residence and those of his close associates. The ED has expanded its probe into money laundering, seizing assets including cash, gold jewelry, and US dollars during raids in various locations.

The ED has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on the CBI’s FIR. The ED alleges evidence of money laundering amounting to 600 crores in the job scam. According to senior ED officials, a substantial portion of these funds, 350 crores, is in the form of immovable property, while 250 crores allegedly entered Lalu Yadav’s family through benami transactions.

The CBI contends that a land scam took place during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as the railway minister (2004-2009), involving the exchange of land for Group D job appointments. The investigation claims that Lalu Yadav orchestrated the fraudulent acquisition of plots for 12 individuals in Patna, registered in the names of family members. The job appointments were allegedly expedited without due process.