A Delhi court has postponed the decision on framing charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and others in the alleged money laundering case related to the IRCTC hotel scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the case, which involves irregularities in awarding contracts for IRCTC hotels during Yadav’s tenure as the Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009.
The ED’s case focuses on the alleged laundering of proceeds from the IRCTC hotel scam, initially registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It is claimed that contracts for hotel maintenance were awarded without following proper procedures to a company associated with close aides of Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Accusations suggest that in exchange for these contracts, three acres of valuable land were obtained through a benami company linked to Yadav’s family members and associates. The accused individuals include Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, among others.
The court had reserved its decision on framing charges after hearing arguments from the accused persons’ counsel and the ED. Additionally, the Delhi High Court is reviewing 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 scandal.
In a previous development, charges were framed against the accused for offenses such as cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently refuted the allegations, asserting that the tenders for IRCTC hotels were awarded transparently and fairly.
