A PMLA court has summoned Amit Katyal, former Chief Minister of Bihar Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, Hema Yadav and Hridyanand Chaudhary, directing their presence on February 9, 2024 to continue with the trial regarding the alleged 'land for work'. scam,” the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in an official press release.
Earlier on January 1, 2024, the ED filed a prosecution complaint (PC) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, against Amit Katyal, Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, Hema Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary and two companies – AK Infosystems Private Limited and AB Exports Pvt. Ltd.
This legal action was filed before the Special Court (PMLA) in New Delhi in connection with the alleged 'land for job scam'.
Also read: Lalu Prasad Yadav's family exchanged land for railway jobs, says ED while naming former Gaushala employee of Rabri Devi
Amit Katyal, a businessman allegedly linked to former Bihar chief minister and relatives of RJD patriarch Lalu Yadav, is reportedly under scrutiny. The investigations were initiated by the central agency following an FIR filed by the CBI regarding the 'land for job scam'.
The allegations suggest that Lalu Yadav, then Railway Minister, was guilty of corrupt practices involving the appointment of Group D replacements in the Indian Railways between 2004 and 2009.
Also read: Bihar News: Lalu Prasad Yadav appears before ED for questioning in land-for-jobs scam case
According to the FIR, candidates were instructed to transfer land as a bribe to secure jobs in the Indian Railways and a chargesheet has been filed by the CBI in this regard.
The ED has named Lalu Yadav's family members – Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti and Hema Yadav – in the prosecution's complaint, accused of receiving land plots from the families of selected candidates for Group D replacements in the Indian Railways, allegedly at nominal prices.
Hridyanand Chaudhary, also involved in the complainant's complaint, had earlier worked at Rabri Devi's gaushala and allegedly acquired property from one of the candidates. Subsequently, this property was transferred to Hema Yadav.
The companies in question, AK Infosystems Private Limited and AB Exports Pvt. Ltd, are described as shell companies that allegedly received the proceeds of crime intended for family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav.
The ED said the properties were allegedly acquired by frontmen of the said companies after which the shares were transferred to family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav at nominal prices. Amit Katyal was reportedly involved in the management of these companies on behalf of Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family.
Also read: Land for job scam case: Delhi court summons Lalu Prasad Yadav, former railway officials and others
Previously, on March 10, 2023, the central agency conducted searches, which led to the seizure of approximately ₹1 crore in cash and valuables, estimated at approx ₹1.25 million. .over, on July 29 of the same year, the ED provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹6.02 million.
Meanwhile, Amit Katyal was arrested by the agency on November 11, 2023 for his alleged involvement in helping Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family in money laundering. Amit Katyal is under judicial custody from this date.
Further research is being conducted.
(With inputs from ANI)
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Published: Jan 30, 2024 09:38 IST
