President Greenlights Prosecution of Lalu Prasad Yadav in Land-for-Jobs Scandal

In a significant development, President Droupadi Murmu has sanctioned the prosecution of RJD Chief and former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. This approval comes in context with the alleged money laundering case centered around the land-for-jobs scandal in the Indian Railways. According to authoritative sources, the sanction has been granted under Section 197(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, now referred to as Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has embarked on an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), prompted by a First Information Report (FIR) from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The allegations against Yadav date back to his tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, accusing him of engaging in corrupt practices. It is alleged that Yadav facilitated the appointment of Group D substitutes by accepting land parcels as bribes, which were then registered in the names of his family members, either directly or through intermediaries.

The CBI's investigation has resulted in three charge sheets and supplementary charge sheets in connection with the case. Moreover, the ED filed its Prosecution Complaint on January 8, 2024, invoking provisions of the PMLA, against individuals including Amit Katyal and Lalu Prasad Yadav's family members. Companies like A K Infosystems Private Limited and A B Exports Pvt Ltd are also involved. A supplementary prosecution complaint was subsequently filed on August 6, 2024, against Yadav and others. The Special Court (PMLA) in New Delhi has already taken cognizance of these prosecution complaints, marking a crucial step forward in the legal proceedings. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)