New Delhi/Patna : The IRCTC hotel tender-linked money laundering case is scheduled for a significant hearing at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday, October 3, 2026. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav are among nine accused expected to appear personally before the court.
The court is scheduled to formally read out the charges framed against the accused, marking another stage in the judicial proceedings in the case involving alleged irregularities in the tendering of railway hotels and a related land transaction in Patna.
Court Had Framed Charges Against Nine Accused
On September 10, the Rouse Avenue Court reportedly framed charges against nine of the 16 accused named in the case, while discharging the remaining seven.
Those against whom charges were framed include Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Sarla Gupta, Prem Chand Gupta, LARA Projects LLP, Sujata Hotels, and businessmen Vinay Kochar and Vijay Kochar.
The October 3 hearing is expected to involve the formal reading of the charges and asking the accused whether they plead guilty or contest the allegations.
What Is the IRCTC Hotel Tender Case?
The case concerns the tendering of the BNR hotels in Ranchi and Puri, which were associated with Indian Railways, and an alleged land transaction in Patna.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has investigated allegations of money laundering linked to the case and filed a chargesheet against 16 accused.
According to the agency’s allegations, irregularities occurred in the hotel tender process during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister. The ED has alleged that a land-related transaction in Patna was connected to those alleged irregularities.
These allegations are part of the prosecution’s case and remain subject to judicial examination.
What Happens When Charges Are Read Out?
The formal reading of charges is a procedural stage in a criminal trial. The court informs the accused of the allegations they must face and asks them to respond.
If the accused deny the charges and claim trial, the case can proceed to the regular trial stage. The prosecution would then present witnesses and documentary evidence, while the defence would have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and present its arguments and evidence in accordance with the law.
The next steps will depend on the court’s proceedings and any directions issued during the hearing.
Charges Do Not Mean Guilt Has Been Established
The framing of charges does not amount to a finding of guilt. It means the court has decided that the case should proceed against the accused on the specified allegations.
The prosecution will have to establish its case through evidence and witness testimony during the trial. The accused will have the opportunity to defend themselves, and the final determination will be made by the court after considering the evidence and applicable law.
Hearing Marks Another Stage in the Proceedings
The October 3 hearing follows the court’s September 10 order and is expected to move the case into its next procedural phase.
The proceedings will be significant for determining how the trial progresses, but the outcome of the case will depend on the evidence presented and the court’s eventual findings.
