The Delhi High Court is set to review former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav’s plea challenging a trial court’s decision to frame cheating and corruption charges against him and his family members in the IRCTC hotel scam case. The petition, filed by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief, argues that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating. The trial court had earlier ordered the framing of criminal charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tejashwi Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and others under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
In a ruling on October 13, 2025, Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts paved the way for the trial after the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case involves allegations of irregularities between 2004 and 2009 when Lalu Prasad Yadav held the position of Union Railway Minister. It is claimed that IRCTC hotels were leased out improperly to a private firm and that valuable land in Patna was transferred to Lalu Prasad’s family members and a benami company in exchange.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) asserts that the hotels were leased without following proper procedures, with one being allocated to a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Additionally, the prosecution alleges that the RJD leader acquired prime land through a benami company. Lalu Prasad Yadav maintains his innocence, stating that the tenders were awarded fairly and requesting to be discharged from the case.
