Sun Jan 12 06:37:33 UTC 2025: ## RJD MLA Alok Mehta’s Relatives Arrested in Rs 85 Crore Bank Scam; ED Investigation Widens
**Patna, [Date]** – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested five individuals in connection with an alleged Rs 85 crore scam involving the Vaishali Urban Development Co-operative Bank, raising concerns for senior RJD MLA Alok Mehta. Among those arrested are two of Mehta’s relatives, Rambabu Shandilya and Vipin Tiwari, the latter being the bank’s CEO.
The arrests follow widespread raids conducted across Patna, Varanasi, Delhi, Kolkata, and other locations, including sites linked to Mehta and his associates. The ED’s investigation has revealed a complex network of alleged financial irregularities. While three of the accused – Nitin Mehra, Rambabu Shandilya, and Pankaj Tiwari – have been sent to judicial custody, Vipin Tiwari and Sandeep Singh remain under interrogation. The bank’s chairman, Sanjeev Kumar, remains untraceable.
The Vaishali Urban Development Co-operative Bank, founded 35 years ago by Mehta’s father, Tulsidas Mehta, was chaired by Alok Mehta himself from 1995 to 2012. The RBI halted the bank’s operations in 2015 due to alleged embezzlement, and a subsequent report in June 2023 detailed the massive scam, leading to three FIRs and the ED investigation.
Given Mehta’s close ties to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his prominent position within the party, the ongoing investigation has sparked significant political speculation. The ED’s focus on Mehta’s relatives and his past leadership of the bank raises the possibility of further scrutiny and potential legal action against the MLA. The investigation is expected to delve into Mehta’s role during his tenure as chairman. The development could have significant repercussions for the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
First Piper 