The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has escalated its legal actions in connection with the notorious “Land for Job Scam,” filing a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against prominent figures, including Rabri Devi and Amit Katyal, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The case dates back to January 8 and revolves around alleged improprieties during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as the Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009.
The central allegation in the case is that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family were involved in exchanging land for jobs within the Indian Railways, a scandal that has gained infamy as the “Land for Job Scam.” The ED’s statement reveals that prominent individuals, including Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, and Hema Yadav, have been accused in the Prosecution Complaint. The ED’s action comes after an extensive investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), exposing a pattern where railway jobs were allegedly traded for land, raising serious concerns about ethical governance.
The ED statement provides insights into the alleged modus operandi, stating, “The family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav viz. Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, Hema Yadav, who are made accused in the PC, had received land parcels from the family of candidates [who were selected as Group D substitutes in Indian Railways] for nominal amounts.” The ED asserts that its investigation has unveiled irregularities involving the companies M/s A K Infosystems Private Limited and M/s A B Exports Pvt. Ltd., which were allegedly used to channel the illicit wealth.
The Prosecution Complaint follows the initiation of the trial by a Special Court in New Delhi on January 27, with the accused summoned to appear on February 9. The ED emphasizes that the legal proceedings are based on a comprehensive investigation conducted by the CBI, revealing instances where jobs within the Indian Railways were purportedly exchanged for land, a practice deviating from ethical governance norms.
The ED’s statement highlights the involvement of Amit Katyal, a key figure in managing the companies implicated in the alleged scam. Katyal is currently under judicial custody following his arrest in November 2023 for his alleged role in facilitating the transactions linked to the “Land for Job Scam.” The ED points to the seizures made in March 2023, which included cash and valuables totaling approximately Rs. 2.25 crore, along with the provisional attachment of properties worth Rs. 6.02 crore in July 2023.
The allegations extend to the acquisition of land by Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, and Hema Yadav at reportedly nominal prices from the families of individuals who secured jobs within the Indian Railways. Notably, Hridyanand Chaudhary, a former employee at Rabri Devi’s Gaushala, is also implicated in the allegations. The ED alleges that Chaudhary acquired property from one of the candidates and subsequently transferred it to Hema Yadav, further entangling members of the Yadav family in the controversy.
The ED’s move to file a Prosecution Complaint underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the agency’s determination to pursue legal actions against those accused in the “Land for Job Scam.” The legal proceedings are likely to shed more light on the intricacies of the alleged improprieties, providing a clearer picture of the extent of corruption and malpractices within the Indian Railways during the period in question.
As the case unfolds, it raises broader questions about accountability, transparency, and the need for systemic reforms to prevent such scams in the future. The involvement of prominent political figures adds a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings, emphasizing the importance of an impartial and thorough investigation to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.