I-T lens on RJD chief for benami land deals

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad accused the BJP-led government of a political witch-hunt after taxmen raided 22 locations in New Delhi and nearby areas on Tuesday over property deals worth ~1,000 crore allegedly linked to him and his family.

The BJP last week accused Prasad, his parliamentariandaughter Mis aB hart ia nd his two sons, both Bihar government ministers, of benami deals and asked the Union government to probe one such transaction in the national capital.

In a benami transaction the real beneficiary uses a front, or another person, in whose name the property is purchased and registered. The practice is allegedly quite common among people with illegal cash trying to dodge the taxman.

A team of about 100 income tax officials and policemen conducted the raids at homes and offices of several prominent businessmen and real estate agents in Delhi, Gurgaon and Rewari since morning.

Properties of RJD parliamentarian PC Gupta’s son were searched too.

“People and businessmen connected to the land deal involving Lalu Prasad and his family are being searched. There are allegations of benami deals worth about ~1,000 crore and subsequent tax evasion,” a senior tax official said.

Former Bihar chief minister Prasad reacted sharply to the raids, saying he won’t be cowed down “by the BJP’s political vendetta”.

“BJP ko naye alliance partners mubarak ho. Lalu Prasad jhukne aur darne wala nahin. Jab tak aakhri saans hain fashiwaadi takhto ke saath lartha rahunga,” he tweeted.

(Congratulations to BJP on its new alliance partners. Lalu will continue to fight fascist forces till the last breath.)

BJP ko naye alliance partners mubarak ho (Congratulations to BJP for new partners).

LALU PRASAD, in a tweet which the RJD said referred to the I-T dept and CBI, not its alliance with the JD(U)