Lalu’s aide Subhash Yadav Arrested by ED Over Alleged Involvement in Illegal Sand Mining Syndicate

Patna: Subhash Yadav, a prominent figure within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and a trusted aide to party chief Lalu Prasad, was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following a sweeping 14-hour raid spanning eight locations associated with the RJD leader. The arrest is linked to his purported involvement in illicit sand mining operations.

The Enforcement Directorate’s move comes as part of an investigation initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), prompted by 20 First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged by the Bihar Police against M/s Broadsons Commodities Pvt Ltd (BCPL), a company directed by Subhash. These FIRs alleged BCPL’s engagement in unauthorized sand mining and distribution without utilizing e-challans, raising significant environmental and revenue concerns.

The probe revealed an alarming sum of ₹161 crore amassed through the illegal sand trade. This clandestine activity purportedly operates through a syndicate, funneling investments into companies like BCPL and profiting from the unlawful sale of sand.

Subhash, purportedly a key figure in this syndicate, faced intense scrutiny as the ED’s searches on Saturday targeted six premises in Patna linked to him and his close associates, yielding crucial evidence. Seizures during the raids included cash exceeding ₹2.3 crore and damning documents, ultimately culminating in Subhash’s arrest late Saturday night.

This crackdown follows similar actions against alleged members of the sand mining syndicate, including the recent arrests of JD(U) leader and Bihar Legislative Council member Radha Charan Sah and his son.

Beyond his political affiliations with the RJD, Subhash notably contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. Alongside the ED, the Income Tax Department also conducted raids at Yadav’s residence as part of their ongoing investigations.