Raids on Opposition members ‘humiliating’: Arvind Kejriwal slams Modi Govt

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government on Monday, calling the raids on opposition members "humiliating" and accusing the ruling party of using investigative agencies to harass them.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief's outburst came at a time when Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials are questioning former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi at her residence in Patna in connection with the land work case.  

“Raids going on members of opposition (Rabri Devi) is humiliating…This is becoming a trend in states governed by the opposition, to halt their working. They use ED, CBI & Governor to trouble them…Nation can only move forward when everyone works together,”  said  Kejriwal.

Earlier in the day, a CBI team had visited Rabri Devi's residence in Patna to question her in connection with the land for work case. The CBI had earlier filed a chargesheet in the case and a special court had summoned the accused, including former railway minister Lalu Prasad and his family members and others, on March 15.

In the FIR, it was alleged that certain persons, though domiciled in Patna, were appointed as deputations to Group D posts during the period 2004-2009 in various zones of the Railways located in Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hajipur and instead the individuals themselves or their family members transferred their lands in the name of Yadav's family members and AK Infosystems Private Limited, which were subsequently taken over by the RJD chief's family members. It was further alleged that about 1,05,292 square feet of land situated in Patna was acquired by the family members of the RJD chief from these persons through five sale deeds and two gift deeds and in most of the sale deeds the payment to the seller was stated to be in cash.

The value of the lands under the existing circle was about Rs.4.39 crores. The land was directly purchased by Yadav's family members from the vendors at a price lower than the prevailing circle rate. The prevailing market value of the land was much higher than the circle rate. It was alleged that the proper procedure was not followed and the instructions issued by the Railway Authority for the appointment of substitutes and their services were later regularized as well.