Rabri likely to skip ED summons
Former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi may not appear for questioning before the Enforcement Directorate on Friday due to the ongoing Chatth festival, RJD insiders said.
This was the fifth summon notice to RJD Chief Lalu Yadav’s wife and Member of Legislative Council (MLC) in connection with alleged irregularities in a 2006 IRCTC hotels maintenance scam case.
According to Rabri Devi, she couldn’t appear before the investigating agency earlier on several occasions for questioning due to ill health. She however indicated on Thursday that she may present herself for questioning after Chatth festival is over.
“I have been cooperating with the investigating agencies. I couldn’t present myself before the ED earlier due to ill health. I went to the Income Tax regional office in Patna last month for questioning”, Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi gave a statement to the media on Thursday at her residence in Patna.
Rabri Devi and her husband Lalu Yadav have been facing a string of corruption charges. Sources close to Lalu Yadav family told this correspondent that Rabri Devi is being treated for diabetes and problems related to spinal cord and has not been keeping well for last few months.
The family even had to skip Chatth puja last year due to ill health of Rabri Devi but decided to celebrate the festival this year. Rabri Devi said, this year she couldn’t resist fasting for Chatth and decided to offer ‘arghya’ to the setting and rising Sun god as part of the festival rituals.
“The entire family is here to celebrate the festival. My daughters are also helping me prepare for the festival”, Rabri Devi said.
Younger son Tejashwi Yadav who was questioned by the CBI and ED earlier this month also skipped his scheduled appearance before the financial investigating agency on Tuesday.
According to reports, Tejashwi Yadav has been asked to appear before Enforcement Directorate on October 31.
According to RJD sources “Tejashwi Yadav returned from New Delhi on Thursday to celebrate Chatth festival with the family. The entire family has been cooperating with ED and CBI”.