PATNA: Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Patna on Wednesday in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scam in the Railways.
A day earlier, Lalu’s wife and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, along with their eldest son and former Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav, were interrogated separately for about four hours each. The ED had prepared a questionnaire with 50 questions for Lalu, focusing primarily on properties allegedly amassed by his family during his tenure as Railway Minister.
Despite the intense questioning, Lalu remained calm and composed throughout the four-hour-long interrogation. Due to his ill health, he had to consume food at short intervals, and sources revealed that Rabri Devi had sent ‘sattu’ for him to the ED office.
As Lalu stepped out of the ED office on Bank Road near Gandhi Maidan, RJD supporters gathered outside, raising slogans such as “Lalu Yadav zindabad” and “Lalu Yadav mat ghabrana.” At one point, tensions escalated, but senior party leaders managed to pacify the crowd.
RJD MP Misa Bharti accompanied Lalu to and from the ED office. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav accused the BJP of political vendetta, alleging that his family was being harassed by central agencies.
“We have been framed in these cases because we are active in politics,” Tejashwi claimed. “The BJP is misusing the CBI, ED, and Income Tax department to target its opponents. They are scared of us, which is why they are resorting to such tactics.”
He further stated, “We are not disturbed by the summons. There is a legal system, and we abide by it. If a summons is issued, we go, but nothing really happens.”
Taking a jibe at the investigative agencies, Tejashwi remarked, “I don’t even remember how many times my father, mother, and I have been summoned by the CBI, ED, or Income Tax department. It doesn’t concern us anymore.”