New Delhi (27.07.2022): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Bhola Yadav a former OSD to the former Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and one other employee of the Railways who was appointed as a Substitute in the department, in an ongoing investigation into the land-for-jobs scam.

During the investigation, it was found that OSD to Lalu Yadav during the period 2005-2009 was involved in the alleged conspiracy in the appointment of Substitutes. It was further alleged that the accused was managing affairs in the transfer of land by the family members of Substitutes to the family members of the former Railway Minister and also engaging the Substitutes in the Railways. It was also alleged that the said accused had acquired some properties during the relevant period.

Searches are being conducted today at four locations including Patna, Darbhanga etc. at the premises of the accused and another person.

Both the arrested accused are being produced today before the competent Court in New Delhi.

The CBI registered a case on May 18, 2022, against the then Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and 15 others including his wife, two daughters and unknown public servants and a private person. It was alleged that the then Minister of Railways during the period 2004-2009 had obtained pecuniary advantages in the form of transfer of landed property in the names of his family members etc, in place of appointment of Substitutes in Group “D” Post in different Zones of Railways. 

It was further alleged that in lieu thereof the Substitutes, the beneficiaries themselves, (who were residents of Patna) or through their family members sold and gifted their land situated at Patna in favour of the family members of the said Minister and a private company controlled by his family members. The private firm was also involved in the transfer of such immovable properties in the name of the said Minister's family members.

 It was also alleged that no advertisement or any public notice was issued for such appointments of Substitutes in Zonal Railways, yet the appointees who were residents of Patna were appointed as Substitutes in different Zonal Railways located at Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hazipur. 

It was further alleged that in continuation of this modus operandi, about 1,05,292 Sq. feet land/ immovable properties situated at Patna were acquired by the family members of the Minister through five sale deeds and two gift deeds, showing the payment made to the seller in cash in most of the land transfers.

 Searches were earlier conducted on May 20, 2022, at 16 places in Delhi, Patna and District Gopalganj of Bihar.