Benami Land case: Lalu's daughter Misa Bharti, her husband summoned by IT department

The Income Tax (IT) Department issued summons to RJD chief Lalu Prasad's daughter and member of Parliament Misa Bharti and her husband in connection with the Rs. 1,000 crore benami land deals and tax evasion case.

The development came after chartered accountant Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, who reportedly facilitated the illegal transactions, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on May 22. Officials said the department had asked Ms Bharti and her husband Shailesh Kumar to appear before the investigating officer (IO) in New Delhi during the first week of June.

On May 16, the department searched offices of nearly two dozen firms connected to the case and seized relevant documents. The officials said summons were issued as part of the investigation and the duo's statements will be recorded.

The couple allegedly has links with a firm - Ms Mishail Packers and Printers Private Limited- which is suspected to be part of a benami deal for the purchase of a farmhouse in the Bijwasan area in Delhi.

Tax department officials said Ms Yadav's family held benami properties. BJP had also accused Lalu Yadav, Misa Bharti and her two sons of being involved in corrupt land deals and asked Central government to probe the same.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged these transactions were a case of "quid pro quo" deal suggesting money was paid in return for a favour which dated back to the period when Lalu Yadav was the railway minister.