New Delhi: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Monday framed charges against former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, along with their son and current opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, in the long-standing IRCTC hotel tender scam. The court alleged that the tender conspiracy was orchestrated with Lalu Yadav’s knowledge and involvement.
During the hearing, the court asked Lalu Yadav whether he accepted the charges or would face trial. He denied all allegations, stating: “All the allegations are false.” Similarly, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav rejected the accusations when questioned about their roles in the case.
The charges relate to the period between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as India’s Railway Minister. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleges that maintenance contracts for two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri were irregularly awarded to a private company, Sujata Hotels, in exchange for land in Patna benefiting the Lalu family.
Other accused include IRCTC officials VK Asthana and RK Goyal, as well as Sujata Hotels directors Vijay and Vinay Kochhar. The CBI claims the tender process was manipulated, with PK Goyal, then IRCTC managing director, completing the process in favour of Sujata Hotels. The FIR in this case was filed in July 2017, following raids at 12 locations linked to the accused.
In a related development, the court has scheduled a hearing today in the “Land for Jobs” case, in which charges will also be framed. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are not required to be present for this hearing. During the last session in August, the court noted that both Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav had acquired land at a nominal price, but reserved its decision pending further review.
The latest proceedings come as the Rashtriya Janata Dal faces increasing scrutiny ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, adding to political uncertainty for the party.
