The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday filed a fresh case against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his daughter on the charge of taking land from aspirants in return for jobs in the railway, officials said on Friday. The CBI is conducting searches at 17 locations in Delhi and Bihar, they said.

The alleged land-for-jobs scam pertains to the period when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the railway minister in the UPA government, officials said. The probe agency has registered the FIR under IPC section 120-B, which deals with criminal conspiracy, and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, officials said. It is alleged that several prime properties were given to the Yadav family in exchange for jobs in Railways under Lalu Prasad Yadav from 2008 to 2009.

Central Bureau of Investigation registers a fresh case of corruption against RJD Chief Lalu Yadav and his daughter. Raids are underway at 17 locations in Delhi and Bihar related to Lalu Yadav: Sources

(Visuals from Patna, Bihar) pic.twitter.com/qiil99Lpau— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2022

The police are present outside the Patna residence of former chief minister Rabri Devi as the CBI is conducting raids at multiple locations related to Lalu Prasad.

Meanwhile, RJD leaders and workers are protesting against the raids. Criticising the raids, RJD leader Alok Mehta said, "This is an attempt to muzzle a strong voice. CBI's direction and actions are completely biased."

Lalu's brother Prabhunath Yadav said, "It is unfortunate that a person who is ill is being deliberately troubled like this. It is well known who is behind this."

First Published:May 20, 2022 8:47 AM IST