CBI reopens case against ailing Lalu, opposition cries foul

In a serious political development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reopened a corruption case against former chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, months after ruling JD-U snapped ties with the BJP to form government with Lalu’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), according to an NDTV report.

The CBI, which is often accused of having become a political instrument in the hands of the party ruling the Centre, had in 2018 started a probe into allegations of corruption in the allotment of Railway projects when the RJD patriarch held the portfolio in the UPA-1 government.

Reacting to the news, senior minister in the Bihar cabinet Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said: “It is surprising that the CBI goes after only those who are opposed to the BJP. Never do we see the agency taking cognisance of any corruption matter against a BJP leader. Of course, these central agencies are being misused to tarnish the image of political opponents.” Chaudhary belongs to Chief Minister JD-U. “There is, however, nothing to fear. Lalu Prasad is facing a number of cases”, added the JD(U) leader whose party had snapped ties with the BJP nearly five months ago and joined the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ to form a new government, reported PTI.

Former state minister and senior RJD leader Vijay Prakash told PTI, “We are sure that Lalu ji, who has been slapped with so many cases by the CBI, will be proven innocent in all matters, including the latest one.” He, however, did not forget to remind the “caged parrot’ remark on CBI by the Supreme Court.

The inquiry was closed in May 2021, with CBI sources saying that “no case has been made out of the allegations”. Apart from Mr Yadav, his son and Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, and daughters Chanda Yadav and Ragini Yadav are among those named in the case.

The CBI had in 2018 started a probe into allegations of corruption in the allotment of Railway projects when Mr Yadav held the portfolio in the UPA-1 government.

The inquiry was closed in May 2021, with CBI sources saying that “no case has been made out of the allegations”. Apart from Lalu, his son and Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, and daughters Chanda Yadav and Ragini Yadav are among those named in the case.

Lalu is accused of receiving a south Delhi property as bribe from real estate major DLF Group, which was interested in rail land lease projects in Mumbai’s Bandra and the revamp of the New Delhi Railway Station.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM