CBI asserts 'conspiracy' in Lalu's hotel tender irregularity case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday said the basic allegation in the FIR lodged against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, was that a conspiracy was hatched in the tender for development, maintenance and operation of BNR Hotels in Ranchi and Puri.

The CBI alleged that the tender process was rigged, manipulated and the conditions were tweak to help the private party.

"The basic allegation in the FIR is between 2004 to 2014 a conspiracy was hatched in pursuance of which BNR hotels of Indian railways located in Puri and Ranchi were first transferred to IRCTC and later on for its operation, management and upkeep it was given on lease to private firm, i.e., Mrs Sujata Hotels Private Limited of Patna. In return three acres land in western Patna was given to Mrs Delight marketing company private limited, which is known to the family of Lalu Yadav, at a very low cost. Subsequently between the period of 2010 to 2014 this land was transferred to another company by name Mrs Lara project, owned by the family members of Lalu Prasad. This transfer also took place at a very low price whereas the land was valued at Rs. 32 crores as per the circle rates prevalent at the relevant point of time," the CBI official said.

The CBI, on July 5 registered a case against the then railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, his son Tejaswi Yadav, Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta, Vijay Kochar and Vinay Kochar, both directors of Messer's Sujata Hotel Private Limited, Messer's Delight Marketing Private Limited, P.K. Goel, the then Managing Directors, IRCTC and unknown others under Section 120 B read with Section 420 of IPC and Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)d prevention of corruption act 1988.

The case was registered after preliminary inquiry.

The CBI is currently conducting simultaneous searches in Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar, Delhi and Gurugram.

Following the raid, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary Home Amir Subhani and Director General of Police (DGP) P. K. Thakur for a meeting.

Meanwhile, an alert has been issued from the Bihar police headquarters to all police posts warning them of possible protests and retaliation from RJD supporters across the state.

The RJD, however brushed aside the allegation and said the agencies were acting as alliance partners of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Today's date shall go down in contemporary history as one of the darkest day. There is predictability about these kinds of agencies. Suddenly these agencies have become new alliance partners for the BJP and they are using it. As far as legal issues are concerned they know there is possibility of giving direction and influence from the top of the leadership of BJP. We will fight that legally," RJD leader Manoj Jha told ANI.

Slamming the saffron party, said the BJP has mastered the art of using these agencies to deal with their political opposition.