Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday (March 19, 2025) in connection with the land-for-jobs money laundering case. The 76-year-old leader was summoned for questioning in Patna by the central agency as part of the ongoing probe into alleged corruption during his tenure as railway minister between 2004 and 2009.

RJD Workers Stage Protest

Lalu Yadav’s appearance before the ED triggered a political frenzy in Patna as hundreds of RJD workers gathered outside the ED office, shouting slogans in support of their leader. Accompanied by his daughter and RJD leader Misa Bharti, Lalu Yadav arrived amid heavy security as RJD supporters staged demonstrations. The situation became tense as slogans hailing Lalu Prasad Yadav echoed through the city, with party workers showing their solidarity and discontent over the ED’s actions.

This latest development came just a day after Rabri Devi, former Bihar chief minister and wife of Lalu Yadav, and their son Tej Pratap Yadav, a sitting MLA, appeared before the ED for questioning in the same case. The ED had earlier filed a chargesheet against multiple members of Lalu’s family, including Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, and Hema Yadav, naming them as accused in the case.

Details of ED Summons and Ongoing Probe

The land-for-jobs case stems from allegations that Lalu Yadav, during his tenure as railway minister in the UPA-1 government at the Centre, engaged in corrupt practices while appointing group D substitutes in the Indian Railways. According to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR, Lalu Yadav and his associates allegedly accepted land as bribes in exchange for railway jobs between 2004 and 2009.

The CBI’s findings led to the ED’s involvement, which initiated a money laundering investigation based on the CBI complaint. As per the ED’s statement, the accused were allegedly involved in acquiring immovable properties in exchange for granting railway jobs to candidates. These transactions were allegedly disguised to appear as genuine land sales to Lalu Yadav’s family members and close associates.

Political Uproar and Family's Response

The fresh round of questioning has reignited political tensions in Bihar, with the RJD cadre rallying behind Lalu Yadav and his family. Misa Bharti, who accompanied her father to the ED office, assured that their family was “fully cooperating” with the investigation. However, the political narrative took another turn when Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha commented, stating,

“One must face the consequences of their actions.”

The comments added fuel to the already polarized political climate in the state, where the BJP and RJD have been engaged in a bitter rivalry. RJD supporters view the ED’s actions as politically motivated, while BJP leaders claim that the probe is a legal consequence of alleged wrongdoing.

Rabri Devi and Tej Pratap Yadav’s ED Appearance

On Tuesday (March 18, 2025), Rabri Devi and her son Tej Pratap Yadav appeared before the ED in connection with the same case. Their appearance was part of the ED’s ongoing efforts to gather more information and question key family members involved in the alleged corruption.

Past Interrogations and Chargesheet

It is important to note that the ED had earlier recorded Lalu Yadav’s statement on January 20, 2024, followed by the questioning of his son Tejashwi Yadav on January 30, 2024. Both instances had led to massive political controversies, with the RJD calling the moves “political vendetta” orchestrated to tarnish their image.

The ED filed a comprehensive chargesheet in the case last year, naming Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, and other associates as accused. The chargesheet alleges that land parcels and prime properties were transferred to Lalu Yadav’s family members and associates in exchange for securing railway jobs for beneficiaries.

What’s Next in the Case?

As Lalu Yadav faces fresh questioning, the ED is likely to continue probing the intricate web of alleged financial irregularities surrounding the land-for-jobs case. The next steps could involve further questioning of family members, associates, and beneficiaries of the purported scheme.

With Bihar’s political climate already on edge ahead of crucial elections, the ongoing investigation is expected to keep the spotlight on the RJD’s first family and its political ramifications. The unfolding events will likely continue to stir political debates in Bihar, with both RJD and BJP gearing up for an intense electoral battle.

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