ED has arrested businessman Amit Katyal, close to Lalu-Tejashwi, in money laundering and fraud worth Rs 300 crore. He is also accused of being involved in the financial management of Lalu family and the Land for Job scam.
Patna: In a major action that is creating a stir in the politics of Bihar, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested businessman Amit Katyal, considered very close to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. This case of money laundering and real estate fraud of more than Rs 300 crore has further increased the troubles of the RJD camp immediately after the assembly elections. The ED claims that Katyal was not only a businessman but also acted as the ‘financial manager’ of the Lalu family, that is, he had an active role in transactions, property deals and many other financial processes done through companies.
How was Amit Katyal arrested?
The case in which he has been arrested was originally a real estate fraud case registered with the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police. It is alleged that Katyal recovered hundreds of crores of rupees by making fake bookings in the name of giving flats to government employees in Krrish Florence Estate project in Sector-70 of Gurugram. ED later took over the case and arrested Katyal after confirming huge amount of fraud, money laundering and suspicious transactions during investigation.
What is Amit Katyal’s relationship with Tejashwi Yadav?
According to the investigating agencies, Amit Katyal has a very close relationship with the Lalu family for a long time. It is said that Katyal is the same person in whose bungalow worth Rs 150 crore in New Friends Colony, Delhi, Tejashwi Yadav often stays. The agencies claim that this property is also the center of investigation into many property transactions and suspicious transactions. ED alleges that some money reached the accounts and companies associated with Tejashwi Yadav. That is, this was not a normal businessman-client relationship, rather Katyal was considered a ‘highly trusted person’ of Tejashwi Yadav.
Land for job connection also
Even before this, Amit Katyal’s name had come up in the Land for Job scam related to Lalu family. AK Infosystem Pvt. Ltd. The company named, which was earlier owned by Katyal, was later transferred to people associated with the Lalu family. The same company was the owner of many dubious lands, which were allegedly taken in exchange for jobs. Katyal is also a co-accused in this case along with Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and their daughters. ED has already filed a charge sheet in this case.
Through which companies was the fraud played?
Katyal has been the director of several companies, which according to investigating agencies were used in fake land deals, illegal transactions and money laundering. These include, Angle Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd and AK Infosystem Pvt. Ltd. It is alleged that even the license was not complete before taking the payment, yet a huge amount was recovered. Money was taken by claiming to sell flats in the name of government employees, but the project did not progress.
Why a big blow for RJD?
This arrest, just a few days after the assembly elections, has created a stir in political circles. Because Katyal was considered the ‘most trusted man’ of Lalu-Tejashwi. ED’s action directly raises questions related to the RJD high command. This arrest may prove to be a headache for big leaders of the party in future. Political analysts believe that this case is not just the arrest of a businessman, but a possible legal threat reaching the top leadership of RJD.
After all, who is Amit Katyal?
- Delhi real estate businessman
- Surrounded by many controversies and cases even before
- “High-risk” profile in the eyes of ED and EOW
- Years old relationship with Lalu family
- Very close to Tejashwi Yadav
- Directors of many companies, accused of being used for money movement