I-T to attach benami assets of Lalu, kin
Tejashwi, Lalu skip quizzing by CBI
The income tax (I-T) department has issued the final attachment order for about a dozen plots and buildings in Delhi and Bihar that belong to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.
In June, the I-T department had issued a provisional order for attachment of these properties under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2016, which has now been confirmed after adjudication.
The properties include a farmhouse and land in Delhi’s Palam Vihar area, a building in the upmarket New Friends Colony area of south Delhi whose land value is allegedly `50 crore, nine plots on a 256.75 decimal land area in Patna’s Phulwari Sharif area where a shopping mall was being constructed, apart from others in the same area in Bihar’s capital. Most of these are benami properties.
Former Union railway minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav did not appear before the CBI on Monday for questioning in connection with the agency’s probe pertaining to the alleged irregularities committed in awarding tenders for development, maintenance and operation of railway hotels at Ranchi and Puri to a private company in 2006. His son Tejashwi Yadav will also not appear before the central probe agency on Tuesday for questioning in connection with the case. The RJD chief was the railway minister in 2006.
Sources said Mr Yadav has cited his ongoing court case in Ranchi while Tejashwi has said he has prior political commitment while expressing inability to appear before the agency on the date of summons — September 11 and 12 issued by the CBI.
Mr Lalu was asked to appear on Monday while Tejashwi will be summonedon Tuesday, CBI sources said. It is alleged that Mr Yadav had handed over maintenance of two railway hotels BNR Ranchi and Puri to Sujata Hotel after receiving a bribe in the form of prime land of three acres through a benami company.