New Delhi, March 14 (NationPress) On Saturday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) wrapped up its arguments in front of a Delhi court regarding the framing of charges in a money laundering case tied to the alleged land-for-jobs scandal involving Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.

During the proceedings at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, the ED asserted that the evidence gathered during the investigation sufficiently demonstrated the criteria required for framing charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The agency indicated that the alleged proceeds of crime, stemming from bribes in the form of land parcels, were utilized by Lalu Prasad Yadav's family to acquire real estate.

Additionally, the ED claimed that as part of a broader conspiracy, shares of a private entity named AK Infosystems Pvt Ltd were initially obtained, and later, the company was taken over by Lalu Yadav's family members.

It was brought to the court's attention that several land parcels were purportedly transferred in exchange for railway jobs and were often registered under AK Infosystems instead of directly under Lalu Yadav's family name.

AK Infosystems is owned by Amit Katyal, a close associate of Lalu Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav.

The ED further alleged that in 2014, the rights and assets of the company were reassigned to former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and her daughter, Misa Bharti, who is also an RJD MP.

The Rouse Avenue Court is currently deliberating on the framing of charges against various defendants in this case, which includes Lalu Yadav, his spouse Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and other family members.

After the conclusion of the ED's arguments, the court allowed the accused to present their counterarguments regarding the framing of charges.

The defense's arguments are set to begin on March 23 and are anticipated to extend until March 30.

This case revolves around allegations that during Lalu Yadav's tenure as Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, individuals were allegedly appointed to Group-D positions in the Indian Railways in exchange for land parcels that were transferred to his family members or affiliated entities.

Both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are conducting concurrent investigations into this alleged scam.

In a related development, the Delhi High Court recently issued a notice to the CBI regarding a petition filed by Lalu Yadav, contesting a trial court directive to frame charges against him in the underlying corruption case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scheme.

Earlier this year, Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court had framed charges against Lalu Yadav and several of his family members, indicating that a prima facie case of corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy had been established against them.

The trial court noted that Lalu Yadav and his family members appeared to function as part of a "criminal enterprise", allegedly leveraging public employment within the Indian Railways to secure real estate.

The allegations assert that between 2004 and 2009, land parcels were acquired under the names of Lalu Yadav’s family and a company related to them, frequently at prices below market value, in return for employment in various railway sectors.

Despite these serious allegations, Lalu Yadav and his family maintain their innocence and have pleaded not guilty, asserting their readiness to confront the trial.