IT Dept raids RJD legislator Dojana's house and office

The Income Tax Department on Wednesday raided the residence and office premises of RJD legislator Abu Dojana and carried out searches for several hours, officials said.

A builder-turned-politician, Dojana is considered close to jailed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and his family.

According to IT officials, the raids were related to the construction of a shopping mall by Lalu Prasad's family in Patna.

Dojana's company was engaged in the construction of the mall, said to be biggest one in Bihar. But it was stopped by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a few months ago following surfacing of an alleged scam involving the RJD supremo and his close kin.

The Directorate also took possession of the land belonging to the RJD chief and his family members at Saguna More on the city's outskirts.

The ED action came after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case alleging undue favour to a particular company in awarding of contract for operation and maintenance of two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri in lieu of sale of the land in Patna to Lalu Prasad's associate Prem Chand Gupta's company in February 2005 at a throwaway price.