Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has taken legal action against a trial court’s decision to frame criminal charges against him and his family in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case. The RJD chief filed a petition in the Delhi High Court contesting the order passed by the Rouse Avenue Court, which found grounds for proceeding against them for corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating. The matter is set for a hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on January 5, as per the Delhi HC’s causelist.
In October 2025, Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts allowed the trial of Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tejashwi Yadav, wife Rabri Devi, and others under sections 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, along with the Prevention of Corruption Act. This decision came after the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges following detailed arguments on framing of charges. The alleged scam occurred between 2004 and 2009 during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as Union Railway Minister.
The prosecution alleges that irregularities took place when two hotels were leased without proper procedures during Lalu Prasad’s term. One hotel was allotted to Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Gupta, a close associate of Lalu Prasad. The RJD leader, however, denies any wrongdoing, stating that the tenders were awarded fairly and seeking discharge from the case. Meanwhile, Rabri Devi and other Yadav family members faced a setback as a Delhi court rejected their pleas to transfer multiple corruption and money-laundering cases to a different judge.
With the denial of the transfer requests, all criminal proceedings against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and other family members will remain under the jurisdiction of Special Judge Vishal Gogne at the Rouse Avenue Courts.
