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 an alleged money laundering case linked to the IRCTC hotel scam. The court, which was expected to announce its decision on Thursday, rescheduled it for June 9.
The case, investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), pertains to the alleged laundering of proceeds from the IRCTC hotel scam during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as the Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. The ED has accused irregularities in awarding contracts for IRCTC hotels to a private company associated with the RJD leader’s close aides.
Prosecution claims that hotel maintenance contracts were awarded without following proper procedures to a company connected to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family and associates. It is alleged that in exchange, three acres of valuable land were obtained through a benami company linked to the accused.
The accused in the case include Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, among others. The Special Judge had reserved the order on framing charges after hearing arguments from the accused persons and the ED.
The Delhi High Court is also considering criminal revision petitions filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav challenging the trial court’s order to frame charges in the corruption case related to the same alleged scam. In October last year, charges were framed against the accused for cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption, to which they pleaded not guilty.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently refuted the allegations, asserting that the tenders for IRCTC hotels were awarded fairly and transparently.
