Lalu Prasad Yadav faces fresh trouble as Delhi court moves ahead with charges in the IRCTC hotel scam case
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday ordered framing of money laundering charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and party leader Tejashwi Yadav in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case.
The order was passed by Special Judge Vishal Gogne, who observed that the case reflected a “strong suspicion of abuse of office and proceeds of crime” involving the accused.
The court framed charges against nine people in the money laundering case, while seven others were discharged. The formal charges in the case will be framed on October 3.
During the hearing, the court referred to allegations related to a Patna land transaction, stating that Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav continued to possess what it described as a “tainted land” allegedly transferred at the direction of Lalu Prasad Yadav.
The alleged transaction dates back to the period between 2005 and 2014, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was serving as the Union Railway Minister.
The case relates to alleged irregularities in the awarding of tenders for the maintenance of IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri.
According to the allegations, railway officials manipulated the tender process during Lalu Yadav’s tenure. The directors of the companies involved later allegedly transferred a piece of land in Patna to Sarla Gupta, considered a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav.
The investigation agency has alleged that the land was later transferred through share transactions to Rabri Devi for a nominal amount.
The proceedings are part of a money laundering investigation linked to the alleged railway hotel tender scam.
The court’s latest order means the accused will now face trial in the case. The next major step will be the formal framing of charges scheduled for October 3.
The development comes as a major setback for the RJD leadership, with Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav all named among those facing charges.
