CBI raids 12 premises of Lalu Prasad and family over tender irregularities

The CBI today conducted raids at 12 locations of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, including his residence at 10 Circular Road in Patna in connection with irregularities committed in leasing out railway hotels at Ranchi and Puri to a private party. 

CBI sources said that simultaneous raids were conducted early this morning at 12 locations in Patna, Ranchi, Puri, Delhi and Gurugram in connection with leasing out Railway hotels, when Lalu Prasad was Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009.Railway Hotels were leased to a private company owned by Kochar brothers, violating norms and family members of Mr Prasad had allegedly received a costly plot from them using company of RJD MP Prem Chandra Gupta as its conduit.

CBI had earlier registered a case against Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, son, the then Managing Director of IRCTC, and some others in this



connection. 

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is in Rajgir, has called State Chief Secretary, DGP, Home Secretary and other senior officials to discuss the situations arising out of the raids. Mr. Kumar also called party spokespersons to Rajgir in this connection.

BJP has demanded sacking of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and Minister Tej Pratap Yadav from Nitish cabinet.Senior party leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters in Patna that it is a litmus test for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Mr.Modi said Nitish Kumar is always talking about zero tolerance towards corruption and now he must take action against his two cabinet colleagues. 

Meanwhile, the state police has issued an alert in view of CBI raids at Lalu Prasad's residence. A large number of security forces has been deployed around BJP and JDU offices to maintain law and order.