Slapped with charges, Lalu and kin stare at worst political crisis

TROUBLE RJD chief is apprehensive of the IT and ED crackdown

Even as RJD chief Lalu Prasad seeks to forge a grand opposition unity, he is in the middle of one of his worst political and personal crises.

He and his family today face a maze of corruption charges — some going back to the fodder scam, while many new linked to land deals and alleged money laundering.

A mix of judicial orders, an aggressive BJP led by Bihar leader Sushil Modi levelling allegations, and energetic central investigative agencies has resulted in the crisis. The allegations also have implications for the ‘Mahagathbandhan’. Lalu, however, denies all charges.

Personally, Lalu — convicted in the fodder scam — continues to face legal troubles.

One of the five fodder cases has reopened. And following a Supreme Court order to complete the trial within nine months, the court has started hearing the cases on a priority basis. Lalu has had to travel to Jharkhand to appear before the court concerned on a weekly basis.

Then, there are a spate of allegations against family members.

The Income Tax department raided 22 locations in New Delhi and adjoining places, related to land and farm houses owned by Lalu’s daughter Misa Bharti and her husband Shailesh Kumar. The two were also questioned. ED, too, has begun probe.

His son and deputy CM Tejashwi is alleged to hold heavy stakes in a company promoting Bihar’s biggest mall in Patna worth ₹750 crore; another son Tej Pratap is alleged to hold big tracts of land and a petrol pump (cancelled but stayed by court); and daughters Misa, Hema and Ragini have been accused of being directors in many shell companies. In all of this, the charge is that Lalu’s position in power was misused to amass assets.

There are also accusations against Lalu of taking prime land from RJD’s senior leaders such as

Firm, initially owned by RJD MP Prem Gupta, was transferred to Lalu’s wife and son, who allegedly got prime land in Patna from industrialist Harsh Kochar against allotment of two hotels in Ranchi and Puri during Lalu’s stint as railway minister.

Company owned by Tejaswi and sister Chanda, posesssing property in Delhi, accused of money laundering.

Company, owned by Rabri, Tejaswi, and other family members, with property in Patna’s 3 prime areas, accused of owning benaami assets and money laundering. Raghunanth Jha, Kanti Singh and few ordinary people in lieu of giving them ministerial berths and jobs during his stint as railway minister from 2004-09.

The land plots were gifted to Lalu’s two sons by the donors.

“Lalu’s family owns six companies. All these companies are shell companies promoted to purchase land or other real estate property and then sold over to Lalu’s family at throwaway prices,” said Sushil Modi.

The RJD chief has put up a brave face so far, asserting there is nothing wrong in his family having business interests and insisting they were ready for a probe. “What is wrong if my sons have interest in a mall? Should they wear tattered clothes?” he asked.

Company owned by Lalu’s elder daughter Misa and her husband Shailesh, accused of money laundering.

Owned by Lalu’s family, possessing property worth '76 lakh, accused of money laundering.

Company owned by Misa and Shailesh, with property in Delhi’s Sainik Farms, accused of money laundering and benaami assets.

RJD’s spokesperson Manoj Jha said, “Norms were followed. All reords are there in the website of the registrar of companies.”

But the pressure shows. Lalu has taken to astrological remedies such as holding Sunderkand path at his residence.

Insiders say the RJD chief is apprehensive of the Income Tax and ED tightening its noose on his children on charges of money laundering and owning benaami assets, which could lead to imprisonment up to seven years.

The charges have also left him on weaker footing in the alliance, giving space to CM Nitish Kumar.

The BJP is adopting a ‘wait and watch’ policy.

“We can have early polls in Bihar,” said a BJP leader. What is clear is that Lalu’s grand opposition unity efforts emerge from the difficult spot he is in.

RJD’s spokesperson Manoj Jha, however, rubbishes all charges of wrongdoing.