Railway irregularities: Tejashwi, Lalu Yadav skip quizzing by CBI

New Delhi: Former Union railway minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav did not appear before the CBI on Monday for questioning in connection with the agency’s probe pertaining to the alleged irregularities committed in awarding tenders for development, maintenance and operation of railway hotels at Ranchi and Puri to a private company in 2006. His son Tejashwi Yadav will also not appear before the central probe agency on Tuesday for questioning in connection with the case. The RJD chief was the railway minister in 2006.

Sources said Mr Yadav has cited his ongoing court case in Ranchi while Tejashwi has said he has prior political commitment while expressing inability to appear before the agency on the date of summons — September 11 and 12 issued by the CBI.

Mr Lalu was asked to appear on Monday while Tejashwi will be summonedon Tuesday, CBI sources said. It is alleged that Mr Yadav had handed over maintenance of two railway hotels BNR Ranchi and Puri to Sujata Hotel after receiving a bribe in the form of prime land of three acres through a benami company.

The FIR alleged that Lalu as railway minister abused his official position for extending undue favours to Kochhars, acquired a “high value premium land” through a benami company Delight and as a quid pro quo, dishonestly and fraudulently managed award of leasing BNRs at Ranchi and Puri to the company of Kochhars. The CBI has registered the case against Lalu, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi, Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta, former union minister. Others named as accused in the FIR include Vijay Kochhar, Vinay Kochhar, both directors of Sujata Hotels and owner of Chanakya Hotel, Delight marketing company, now known as Lara Projects and the then managing director P.K. Goel.