The “comprehensive” charge sheet will also underscore the alleged role played by RJD Rajya Sabha member Prem Chand Gupta.
In a supplementary charge sheet filed in July, the CBI had revealed the alleged involvement of Gupta for the first time. The CBI had also informed a local court that Gupta’s “role has been revealed during the investigation and certain other individuals are also under investigation.” Gupta, a close aide of Lalu Prasad, is alleged to have played a key role in the purchase of lands through a company to illegally benefit Lalu and his family. The supplementary charge sheet (filed in July) read that “a land parcel was purchased in the name of a company – M/s AK Infosystems Pvt Ltd. The promoters were convinced by Lalu Prasad and Gupta (RJD leader and the then minister for corporate affairs) to purchase the land in the name of the company with a promise that they will purchase back the said land in the future.”
The said charge sheet, in which Tejashwi Yadav was arrayed as an accused for the first time, said that “lands/properties were acquired in a concealed manner, i.e. to purchase land/property in the name of some company, and subsequently to transfer the ownership of such properties by way of transfer of shares” to Lalu Prasad’s family.
Describing Lalu, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav as “ultimate beneficiaries” in the alleged case, the CBI had also informed the court that it would file supplementary charge sheets in the case in a “phased manner” since the involvement of more railway officials from other railway zones had come to light.
People in the know indicated that filing successive chargesheets over some time would not only become cumbersome but may also delay the trial which would eventually benefit the accused. Hence, the agency is of the view that a “comprehensive” charge sheet should be filed in the case so that the trial can be commenced without delay.
