Today, On 17th September, An aide of Lalu Yadav granted bail in connection with the Railways land-for-jobs scam. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna announced the decision, stating “bail granted.” The case involves allegations of irregularities during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted bail to Amit Katyal, a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, in connection with a money laundering case tied to the alleged land-for-jobs scam in the Indian Railways.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna stated,
“Bail granted,”
Katyal arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on November 11, 2023, under various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) accused Amit Katyal of acquiring land from various job seekers on behalf of RJD chief and former railway minister, Lalu Prasad. According to the ED, Katyal served as the director of AK Infosystems Private Limited, a company allegedly involved in obtaining land from candidates “on behalf” of Lalu Prasad.
Several members of Lalu Prasad’s family are also implicated in the case. Previously, on May 22, a trial court had rejected Katyal’s bail plea, stating there were insufficient grounds to grant him the relief.
The Railways land-for-jobs scam involves allegations that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as the Minister of Railways (2004-2009), jobs in the Indian Railways offered to individuals in exchange for land parcels. The scam said to have involved individuals transferring land to the family and associates of Lalu Prasad in return for employment in the Railways.
Amit Katyal, the director of AK Infosystems Private Limited, alleged to have played a key role in the scam. The Enforcement Directorate has accused him of acquiring land on behalf of Lalu Prasad Yadav from job seekers who were offered positions in the Railways. Katyal is believed to have facilitated these transactions, making him a central figure in the investigation.
In its charge, the ED claimed that several members of Lalu Prasad’s family, including his children, were also involved in the scheme, with land and property being transferred into their names. The scam has drawn attention as one of the major allegations of corruption against Lalu Prasad and his associates, contributing to his ongoing legal battles over various corruption charges.
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Amit Katyal previously sought bail from a trial court, but his application was rejected on May 22, 2023. The trial court ruled that there were insufficient grounds for his release, given the severity of the charges and the evidence presented by the ED. However, his recent appeal to the Delhi High Court was successful, and he has now been granted bail.
The bail decision comes as investigations continue into the broader land-for-jobs scam, which has also implicated several high-profile figures in Lalu Prasad Yadav’s political circle. As the case progresses, more legal battles are expected, especially with other family members of the RJD chief facing scrutiny.
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