CBI Reopens Case Against Lalu Prasad After BJP Gains Power In Bihar

Bihar, 26th December 2022: A month after the transfer of power in Bihar, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) started its activities. The old corruption case against former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav is being reopened by the CBI. A month ago, Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar ousted the government with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and formed a government with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Lalu Prasad Yadav was in charge of the Railway Ministry during UPA (United Progressive Alliance). During that time, there was an allegation of irregularities in some railway projects and an investigation was started in 2018. Interestingly, the investigation was closed by the CBI itself in May 2021. “There is no case in the allegations made,” CBI officials said at the time. Along with Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, daughter Chanda Yadav and Ragini Yadav were also named in the case.

When Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister during the UPA government, it was alleged that Yadav had received property in South Delhi in exchange for a railway land lease project in Bandra, Mumbai and a Delhi railway station renovation project. The property is said to belong to private developer DLF Group, the same company that got the project work in Bandra and Delhi.

But now, as soon as the power was transferred, the CBI will investigate the case again. Just a month ago, JDU leader Nitish Kumar chose a different path, accusing the BJP of breaking his party. He had formed an alliance with RJD after bringing down the government with BJP.

With the CBI reopening the case against Lalu Prasad Yadav, the country may again witness a political tussle. There were already allegations that BJP was misusing the central machinery. Now this case has given the opposition a chance to criticize the central government and the BJP.