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CBI summons Lalu Prasad, son Tejashwi Yadav in alleged hotels- for- land scam

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CBI summons Lalu Prasad, son Tejashwi Yadav in alleged hotels- for- land scam

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The RJD chief and his son, former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi, have both maintained that he charges are politically motivated

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav for interrogation, on September 11 and 12, in connection with an alleged Railways Hotel scam.

The father-son duo has maintained that the charges against them are politically motivated. However, it was the probe agency’s claims of corruption against Tejashwi – then Bihar deputy chief minister – that had, in August, caused the split of the RJD-JDU Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar, amid speculation that chief minister Nitish Kumar had wanted him to resign from his cabinet but couldn’t have his way and so decided to step down himself.

The CBI’s case revolves around allegations that as the railway minister in the UPA-I government, Lalu Prasad had approved the maintenance of two railway hotels – BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri – in favour of Sujata Hotels, a company owned by Vinay and Vijay Kochhar, against as illegal gratification of receiving three acres of prime land through a benami company.

The FIR in the case alleges that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief had abused his ministerial position and extended an undue advantage to the Kochhars. The Kochhars, as bribe for the deal, transferred the premium land to Lalu Prasad through the benami company which is said to be owned by Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta, a key aide of the RJD chief and a former union minister himself.

Lalu Prasad’s, wife Rabri Devi has also been made an accused in the case along with Sarla and Prem Chand Gupta, the Kochhars and PK Goel, the then managing director of the benami company in question – Delight.

Tejashwi, it is alleged, is a joint owner of the land where a shopping mall is now proposed to come up according to some media reports. Both Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi have maintained that the former deputy chief minister of Bihar and the RJD chief’s heir apparent had nothing to do with the case and was “just a boy who had not even sprouted a moonch” when his father was the railways minister between 2004 and 2009.

However, news channel NDTV quoted a CBI official as saying: “Tejashwi was made an accused in the case not because of what his father had done as a railway minister but because he along with his mother Rabri took over and operated a company that owned the land in 2014, when he was 24.”

The hotel-for-land scam

During the NDA regime under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the government had decided to hand over management of catering services of railway hotels to IRCTC.

It is alleged in the CBI’s FIR that when the UPA-I government under Dr Manmohan Singh came to power in 2004 and Lalu Prasad was appointed Union railway minister, he entered into a criminal conspiracy with the Kochhars (owners of Sujata Hotel), Sarla Gupta and some yet unidentified IRCTC officials to earn “undue pecuniary” benefits.

The Kochhars then allegedly sold three acres of premium land in Patna for Rs 1.47 crore to Delight Marketing on February 25, 2005 – a price that was way below the then prevailing circle rate.

Between 2010 and 2014, the ownership of Delight Marketing was transferred from Sarla Gupta to Lara Projects owned by Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav. Lalu Prasad had at the time ceased to be a Union minister as his party was not part of the UPA government. The value of the Patna land had also spiralled to Rs 32.5 crore as per the circle rate prevailing at the time, the CBI has claimed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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