A team of Central Bureau of Investigation officials on Tuesday recorded the statement of former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi in connection with an alleged money laundering case involving a cooperative bank run by a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. A huge amount of high-value currency notes were said to be deposited in that bank after demonetisation.
“Two-three days ago Rabri Devi had received a notice from the CBI to record her statement in connection with money deposited in the Bihar Awami Cooperative Bank…the CBI team had come today, asked some questions to Rabri Devi and left after sometime,” Bhola Yadav, a close family aide of Lalu Prasad and party MLA told journalists outside Rabri Devi’s residence. He also added that “Rabri Devi produced papers of her Income Tax return and other necessary documents to the CBI officials”. The CBI officials did not questioned any other member of the family, he said. RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who is currently on provisional bail for six weeks from the Ranchi High Court, too was present at the residence. Mr. Prasad is to leave for Mumbai for his medical check-up soon.
The Bihar Awami Cooperative Bank is run and headed by Anwar Ahmed, a close aide of Mr. Prasad. Mr. Ahmed started the Bihar Awami Cooperative Bank in which high-value currency notes were allegedly deposited in huge amount after demonetisation on November 8, 2016. The CBI has been investigating the case.
‘Family harassed’
Mr. Prasad and his family members are currently facing several alleged corruption charges by investigating agencies like the Income-Tax Department, the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. Meanwhile, reacting over the CBI team reaching Rabri Devi’s residence in Patna, alliance party Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi told journalists that it was all being done by ruling NDA “to harass the family members of Lalu Prasad”.
