Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has moved the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court order that framed criminal charges against him and members of his family in the alleged IRCTC scam. The plea is listed for hearing on January 5 before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.
The case stems from allegations of corruption during Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister and has remained under judicial scrutiny for several years.
Background of the Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation, or Central Bureau of Investigation, alleges that while serving as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, Lalu Prasad Yadav misused his official position to favour a private firm in the award of contracts related to two IRCTC hotels.
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According to the probe, hotels located in Ranchi and Puri were leased to Sujata Hotels through what investigators describe as a manipulated tender process. In return, prime land parcels worth crores of rupees were allegedly transferred at undervalued prices to a company said to be linked to Yadav’s family.
The alleged beneficiaries include his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav, who have also been named as accused in the case.
On October 13, Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav for corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating. Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav were charged with criminal conspiracy and cheating.
In a detailed order, the trial court said it had reached a prima facie view that Yadav was fully aware of the tendering process and had actively intervened.
“The court has come to a prima facie conclusion that the accused was in complete knowledge of the processes and influenced the transfer of the hotels,” the order noted.
Court Observations
The trial court observed that the tender process for leasing the hotels underwent material modifications, raising serious questions about transparency.
“There were material modifications in the tender process,” the court observed, adding that it appeared possible that land parcels were undervalued at the time of transfer and eventually vested in the hands of Lalu Prasad Yadav.
The order further stated that the alleged actions resulted in a significant loss to the public exchequer.
“Various persons engaged in a conspiracy which may have involved multiple smaller conspiracies,” the court said, indicating that the alleged scheme was not limited to a single transaction.
The court also remarked that the entire exercise reflected “crony capitalism in the garb of promoting private participation.”
Stand of the Accused
The Yadav family has consistently denied the allegations. In their challenge before the High Court, they have questioned the investigation and maintained that there is no direct evidence linking them to any wrongdoing.
They have argued that the case is politically motivated and that the transactions in question were lawful. The plea seeks to set aside the trial court’s order framing charges and to halt further criminal proceedings.
The Delhi High Court is expected to examine whether the trial court was justified in framing charges based on the material placed by the investigating agency. At this stage, the High Court will not decide guilt or innocence but will assess whether a full trial is warranted.
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The matter is scheduled to come up before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on January 5.
Court’s Decision
As of now, the High Court has taken note of the challenge and listed the matter for hearing. The framing of charges by the trial court remains in force until the High Court passes further orders.
Case Title: Lalu Prasad Yadav v. CBI
Case No.: Not specified
Case Type: Criminal Revision / Challenge to Framing of Charges
Decision Date: Pending (Hearing on January 5)
