The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following a plea by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav challenging a trial court’s order to frame criminal charges against him and his family members in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, after a brief hearing, requested the CBI’s response and issued notice on Tejashwi Yadav’s criminal revision petition along with an application seeking a stay on the trial court’s proceedings.
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Maninder Singh, representing Tejashwi Yadav, informed the court that a similar plea filed by his father, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, is scheduled for a hearing on January 14. In response, Justice Sharma directed that Tejashwi Yadav’s plea be considered on the same date.
Tejashwi Yadav, in his petition, has challenged the order by the Rouse Avenue Court, which allowed the trial to proceed against him and other accused for corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating related to the IRCTC scam. The Special Judge of the Rouse Avenue Courts had paved the way for the trial of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and others under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act after they pleaded not guilty.
The alleged scam dates back to the period between 2004 and 2009 when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as the Railway Minister. It involved the leasing of two IRCTC hotels without following proper procedures. Lalu Prasad Yadav has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the tenders were awarded transparently and fairly.
