President Grants Sanction to Prosecute Lalu Prasad Yadav in Land-for-Jobs Scam Case

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a significant development, President Droupadi Murmu has granted sanction to prosecute Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the alleged land-for-jobs scam case. The President has mandated that Yadav be prosecuted under section 197(1) of the Criminal Penal Code (Section 218 of BNSS, 2023).

Background of the Case

The case dates back to Yadav's tenure as the Indian Railways minister from 2004 to 2009. He is accused of offering jobs to Group D candidates in exchange for land parcels, which were allegedly registered in the names of his family members. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR against Yadav in 2022, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

ED's Investigation and Chargesheets

The ED has filed multiple chargesheets in the case, including against Yadav's family members such as his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and daughter Hema Yadav. The agency has also named two associated companies, AK Infosystems Private Limited and A B Exports Pvt Ltd, in relation to the case.

Reaction from RJD

Tejashwi Yadav, RJD leader and former Deputy CM of Bihar, has denied the allegations, stating that the case is politically motivated. He added that the more they are harassed, the stronger they will become.

Next Steps

A special PMLA court in Delhi has taken cognizance of the chargesheets filed against Yadav and his aides. The case is expected to proceed with the prosecution of Yadav under the relevant sections of the law.