Charges Framed Against Ex-Bihar CMs Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, And Son Tejashwi In IRCTC Scam Case

RJD Chief Lalu Prasad with Party Leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi (IMAGE: PTI)

A Delhi court on Monday framed corruption charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and other accused in the alleged IRCTC scam.

The order was passed by Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The court framed charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy and cheating against Lalu Yadav, while Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav face charges including conspiracy and cheating.

The trial will now proceed as all the accused have pleaded not guilty.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that Lalu Yadav, while serving as Railway Minister, and his family accepted prime land as a bribe for awarding contracts to a private firm.

According to the allegations, during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri were leased to a company named Sujata Hotels through a manipulated tender process. In return, land worth crores was transferred at below-market rates to a company allegedly linked to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav.

The Yadav family has denied the allegations, saying there is no evidence against them and calling the case politically motivated.

During Monday’s proceedings, the court read out the charges to Lalu Yadav, stating that he had abused his position as a public servant, influenced tender conditions, conspired in the purchase of undervalued land parcels from the Kocchar family, and coordinated with other accused to transfer effective control over these lands to his family members.

When asked whether he admitted to the charges, Lalu Yadav pleaded not guilty.

The trial in the IRCTC scam case will commence from October 27, with proceedings scheduled to take place on a day-to-day basis.