Land-for-jobs scam: PMLA court summons former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti

A PMLA court has issued a summon for Amit Katyal, former Bihar chief minister , Misha Bharti, Hema Yadav, and Hridyanand Chaudhary, instructing their presence on February 9, 2024, to proceed with the trial related to the purported ‘land for job scam’, Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated in an official release.

Earlier on January 1, 2024, the ED lodged a prosecution complaint (PC) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, against , Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, Hema Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary, and two companies - A K Infosystems Private Limited and A B Exports Pvt. Ltd.

This legal action was filed before the Special Court (PMLA) in New Delhi in connection with the alleged ‘land for job scam.’

Amit Katyal, a businessman allegedly linked to former Bihar chief minister and RJD patriarch Lalu Yadav's family members, is reportedly under scrutiny. The investigations were initiated by the central agency following an FIR filed by the regarding the ‘land for job scam.’

The allegations suggest that Lalu Yadav, who was the Railway Minister at the time, engaged in corrupt practices concerning the appointment of Group D substitutes in Indian Railways between 2004 and 2009.

According to the FIR, candidates were instructed to transfer land as a bribe to secure jobs in Indian Railways, and a charge sheet has been filed by the CBI in this regard.

The ED has accused Lalu Yadav's relatives—Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, and Hema Yadav—named in the prosecution complaint, of receiving land parcels from the families of selected candidates for Group D substitutes in the Indian Railways, allegedly at nominal prices.

Hridyanand Chaudhary, also implicated in the prosecution complaint, had previously worked at Rabri Devi's gaushala and