ED to file fresh charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, kin in land-for-jobs case

Enforcement Directorate (ED) will soon file a supplementary prosecution complaint (equivalent of a charge sheet) against former Union railways minister Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and their kin for their alleged involvement in the land-for-jobs case, said people in the know.

The federal agency quizzed Lalu at its Patna office on Wednesday. Lalu's wife Rabri Devi, former chief minister of Bihar and their son Tej Pratap Yadav were questioned by the ED on Tuesday.

According to agency sources, after filing the supplementary prosecution complaint, ED will push for commencement of trial against Lalu and co-accused in the case. «This will be the last prosecution complaint following which we would argue on framing of charges against the accused so that the trial can be kickstarted. This is one of the top priority cases for the agency,» said a senior official.

According to agency sources, Lalu, Rabri and Tej Pratap were again summoned by the agency to confront them with the supplementary charge sheet recently filed by the CBI. In its latest charge sheet, the CBI had referred to five more parcels of land allegedly usurped by Lalu and his kin in lieu of jobs given to railway employees.

Following CBI's recent revelations, the ED also quizzed Lalu and his kin pertaining to the five land parcels, said people in the know. But Lalu and his kin have denied the accusations levelled against them.

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As reported by ET earlier this month, CBI is likely to commence arguments on framing of charges against Lalu and others in May, following which the accused will present their counter to the court against framing of charges. The court, after examining the arguments and counter arguments, will decide on whether to frame charges against