JD(U) wants 'accused' to come forward, prove their innocence

With the growing demand of Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav's resignation following the corruption charges levelled against him, the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) on Tuesday asserted that it hoped the "accused come forward and provide evidence to prove their innocence."

"We hope that the accused come forward and provide evidences to the public to prove their innocence so that the people can be assured that the allegations which have been framed are incorrect. It is their responsibility to provide proofs," JD(U) official spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said in a press briefing after the party meeting here, in an indirect reference to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Yadav's family, around which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently tightened its grip.

He said the JD(U) understands the importance of an alliance and will work till the end with the RJD.

Kumar also outlined the decisions taken in the meeting by the leaders to improve the working structure of the party and said the party has committed to tackle the social issue in the state on priority basis.

Earlier on Friday, the CBI registered a corruption case against Lalu Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav; former Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Managing Director P.K. Goyal; and the wife of Lalu's confidante Prem Chand Gupta, Sujata on allegations of awarding the tender for development, maintenance and operation of hotels in Ranchi and Puri in 2006.

The CBI later questioned Rabri Devi and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.

The case was registered on the allegations of awarding the tender for development, maintenance and operation of Hotels at Ranchi and Puri to a Private Company dealing with Hotels in the year 2006.

The investigative agency also conducted searches at 12 locations across Patna, Delhi, Gurugram and other places.

The RJD supremo, however, refuted the allegations against him and called it a political conspiracy hatched by the BJP.

Misa Bharti, Lalu Yadav's daughter's premises were also raided.

While conducting raids at Misa Bharti's premises yesterday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recovered and seized various incriminating documents, electronic devices including mobile phones.