Lalu Prasad Yadav

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday claimed the Enforcement Directorate, the CBI and the Income Tax department had "strong evidence" of benami transactions against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his family members.

Agency sources said the land is allegedly in the name of the family members of Lalu Prasad and a mall was supposed to be constructed here.

They said the statement of the former Bihar deputy chief minister was recorded by the investigating officer of the case at the ED office after he arrived there around 11 AM. Tejashwi Yadav left the ED office around 8:45 PM.

The 27-year old former deputy chief minister of Bihar has skipped three notices for questioning in the case before appearing today before the investigation team, the sources said.

Yadav, who arrived at the headquarters at 11 am, was accompanied by his daughter Misa and did not speak to the media. He was taken to the investigation officer while Misa was asked to wait in the lobby, CBI sources said.

The CBI wants to question the former railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav for a contract given for the maintenance of two IRCTC hotels in 2006. Tejashwi is also made an accused in the CBI FIR pertaining to alleged corruption in the deal.

The case pertains to allegations that Yadav, as railway minister, handed over the maintenance of two hotels run by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, a subsidiary of the Indian Railways, in Ranchi and Puri to Sujata Hotel, a company owned by Vinay and Vijay Kochhar, in return for a prime plot of three acres in Patna through a benami company.

Yadav, who was summoned by the CBI for the second time to appear before the investigating team, sent his lawyer who submitted the request seeking two weeks time for questioning, the CBI sources said.

Referring to Nitish Kumar's "suicidal street play" remark, Lalu Prasad said he reckoned that it was a "warning" but he will continue his fight to expose those involved in the scam.

Yadav has cited his ongoing court case in Ranchi while Tejashwi has said he has prior political commitment while expressing inability to appear before the agency on the date of summons-- September 11 and 12--issued by the CBI, the sources said.

The RJD chief exhorted the people who had gathered at a rally at Sandis compound here to register their protest over the Srijan scam by participating in "dharnas" to be held at every district headquarter town on September 12.

The RJD leader has been asked to appear for questioning at the agency headquarter on September 11 and Tejashwi the next day, they said.

Allegedly, Yadav posted a photoshopped image of the crowd at his BJP Bhagao, Desh Bachao rally

Taking a jibe at Lalu Prasad, the senior BJP leader said that Lalu must be rewarded for coming out with new and innovative ideas of acquiring land, the ideas which even agencies like Income Tax cannot think of

The department had served notices of attachment of assets in June to Lalu, his wife Rabri Devi, son and former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav among others.

The senior RJD leader also challenged Kumar to address a meeting in an area dominated by people from Dalit, Mahadalit and other backward castes, saying "He (Kumar) will face of the wrath of the people."

Rudy, the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, also expressed confidence that under the new JD(U)-BJP government, Bihar would be transformed.

Prime Minister Modi announced special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for the state during the election campaign in 2015 but fell short of giving special status.

The former Railway Minister has a full plate on his hands right now, with his focus likely to be on getting out of the mess he and his family are currently in.

The ostensible reason for Kumar to quit was his falling out with Deputy Chief Minister Yashaswi Yadav, the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. Yadav is facing corruption charges but had refused to step down despite Kumar's exhortations.