CBI Officials Asked To Follow Medical Protocol During Lalu Yadav Questioning

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials, who were grilling former Union Minister Lalu Yadav in land-for-jobs case on Tuesday were asked to maintain adequate distancing and use masks during questioning with the latter as he had recently underwent a kidney surgery in Singapore.

"Lalu Yadav has kidney transplanted recently and it is necessary to maintain sufficient distance and wear mask because Lalu Yadav is at risk of infection and allergy," sources told ANI.

After three hours of questioning of Lalu Yadav, the CBI has left from Pandara Park residence.

A day after reaching former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi's residence, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) starts questioning former Union Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday, in connection with the land-for-jobs case in Pandara parak residence of his Rajya Sabha member and daughter Misa Bharti residence.

Earlier, a CBI official had said that the central agency had served notice to Yadav a few days ago and is likely to question Lalu Yadav soon.

"A few days ago, CBI had served notice to former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav in connection with the land-for-job case. CBI is likely to question Lalu Yadav soon," a CBI official told ANI on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, CBI reached the residence of former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi in Patna in the alleged case.

CBI had filed the chargesheet in October last year, against former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, their daughter Misa Bharti and 13 others in the land-for-jobs scam.

The chargesheet stated that during the investigation, it was found that the accused in conspiracy with the then GM Central Railways and CPO, Central Railways engaged persons as substitutes in lieu of land either in their name or in the name of their close relatives.

This land was acquired at prices lower than the prevailing circle rate and much lower than the market rate. It was also alleged that the candidates have used false TC and submitted false attested documents to the Ministry of Railways, said the CBI statement.

The alleged scam occurred between 2004 and 2009 when Lalu Yadav was the Railway Minister. Apart from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief, the chargesheet also includes the name of the then Railway General Manager.

CBI stated that the investigation had revealed that the candidates were considered for their engagement without any need for substitutes and there was no urgency for their appointment which was one of the main criteria behind the engagement of substitutes and they joined their duties much later from the approval of their appointment and they were subsequently regularised.

Recently on February 27, while taking cognisance of the CBI chargesheet, Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court issued summons against Lalu, his wife Rabri Devi and 14 others in connection with alleged land-for-job scam.