The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday morning conducted raids at Lalu Yadav’s daughter and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Misa Bharti’s Delhi residence in connection with an alleged money laundering case, reported ANI. Bharti and her husband Shailesh Kumar are being investigated over allegations that they acquired “benami” ownership of land at subsidised rates.
Raids are currently under way at three locations, including Sainik Farms, across the national Capital. Bharti and her husband allegedly have links with Ms Mishail Packers and Printers Private Limited, a suspected shell company, according to NDTV. The couple face up to seven years in jail and a heavy fine if convicted under the Benami Transactions Act.
The ED’s action comes almost two months after it arrested chartered accountant Rajesh Agarwal for his alleged involvement in the money laundering racket worth Rs 8,000 crore. Besides, Agarwal’s arrest on May 23 was also connected to a probe by the Income Tax department into dubious land deals worth Rs 1,000-crore linked to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Yadav’s family.
On Friday, the Central Bureau of Investigation had registered a case against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi and son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav on allegations of corruption during his tenure as Railway minister in 2006. The agency conducted raids at more than 12 locations, including their houses in Delhi, Gurugram, Patna, Ranchi and Puri.
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