New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested then OSD to former Minister of Railway (GoI), Bhola Yadav and another employee of Railway who was appointed as Substitute in Railway, in an on-going investigation of a case.

During investigation, it was found that then OSD to former Railway Minister during the period 2005-2009 was involved in the alleged conspiracy in appointment of substitute. It was further alleged that the accused was managing affairs in transfer of land by the family members of substitutes to the family members of former Railway Minister and also engaging of substitutes in Railway.

Searches being conducted at these locations

It was also alleged that the said accused had acquired some properties during the relevant period. Searches are being conducted today at four locations including in Patna, Darbhanga etc. at the premises of accused & a private person.

Accused produced at Delhi Court

Both the arrested accused are being produced today before the Competent Court at Delhi.

Case against Bhola Yadav and 15 others

CBI had registered a case on 18.05.2022 against the then Minister of Railway (Govt. of India) and 15 others including his wife, 02 daughters & unknown Public servants & Private persons. It was alleged that the then Minister of Railway (Govt of India) during the period 2004-2009 had obtained pecuniary advantages in the form of transfer of landed property in the name of his family members etc. in lieu of appointment of Substitutes in Group “D” Post in different Zones of Railways.

It was further alleged that in lieu thereof the substitutes, who were residents of Patna themselves or through their family members sold & gifted their land situated at Patna in favour of the family members of said Minister and a private company controlled by his family members, which was also involved in transfer of such immovable properties in the name of said family members.

It was also alleged that no advertisement or any public notice was issued for such appointments of substitutes in Zonal Railways, yet the appointees who were residents of Patna were appointed as Substitutes in different Zonal Railways located at Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hazipur. It was further alleged that in continuation of this modus operandi, about 1,05,292 Sq. feet land/ immovable properties situated at Patna were acquired by Family members of said Minister through 05 sale deeds and 02 gift deeds, showing the payment made to seller in cash in most of the land transfer.

These are the arrested accused

(i) Bhola Yadav, then OSD To former Minister of Railway

(ii) Shri Hridayanand Choudahry, Substitute/employee of Railway

Searches were earlier conducted on 20.05.2022 at 16 places in Delhi, Patna & District Gopalganj of Bihar. Further investigation into the matter is underway.