IRCTC Scam Case: Delhi Court Frames Charges Against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav; Trial To Begin
A Delhi court on Monday framed corruption charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav in the alleged IRCTC scam case, paving the way for a full-fledged trial. The order was passed by Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne at the Rouse Avenue Courts, after the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.The court framed charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption against Lalu Prasad Yadav, while Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav face charges including conspiracy and cheating.
The case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations that prime parcels of land were received as bribes in exchange for awarding Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotel leases to a private operator during Lalu’s tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009.According to the prosecution, two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri were allegedly handed on lease to Sujata Hotels through a manipulated tender process, and in return, land valued in crores was transferred at a fraction of the market price to an entity linked to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav.
Investigators allege that the land transfers, routed via associates and family-linked firms, constituted quid pro quo for the hotel contracts, forming the basis for the conspiracy and corruption charges.The Yadav family has consistently denied wrongdoing, calling the case politically motivated and asserting that there is no substantive evidence of illegal gratification or procedural manipulation in the tender awards. Their defence is expected to contest the CBI’s assertions on valuation, tender compliance, and the alleged nexus between contract awards and property transfers, while highlighting that framing of charges is not a finding of guilt but a procedural step to test the prosecution’s case at trial.
With charges now settled, the matter moves to evidence recording, where the CBI is likely to lead documentary records from IRCTC, tender files, valuation reports, land deed registries, and witness testimonies from officials and private parties involved. The defence will have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, challenge the admissibility of documents, and present its own evidence to rebut the alleged quid pro quo. The progress of the trial will also be watched closely in Bihar’s political context, given the prominence of the accused and the potential ramifications for the RJD’s leadership narrative.
