A Delhi court has postponed the decision on framing charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members, and others involved in a money laundering case linked to the IRCTC hotel scam. The pronouncement, originally set for Tuesday, will now be made on July 16.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint against 16 individuals, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav. This case is connected to the alleged laundering of proceeds from the IRCTC hotel scam investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Allegations suggest that irregularities occurred in awarding contracts for IRCTC hotel operations during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. The prosecution claims that hotel maintenance contracts were awarded improperly to a private company associated with close aides of the RJD leader.
Accusations further state that, in exchange, three acres of valuable land were obtained through a benami company linked to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family members and associates. The accused in the case include Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, and others.
The special court judge had reserved the order on framing charges after hearing arguments from the accused persons’ counsel and the ED. Additionally, the Delhi High Court is reviewing criminal revision petitions filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav challenging the trial court’s directive to frame charges in the corruption case related to the same alleged scam.
Last year, the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against the accused for offenses like cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently refuted the allegations, asserting that the IRCTC hotel tenders were awarded fairly and transparently.
