Lalu Prasad Yadav has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court’s decision to frame criminal charges against him and his family in the alleged IRCTC scam. The petition scheduled is scheduled for a hearing on January 5.
New Delhi: Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav approached the Delhi High Court to contest a trial court’s decision to frame criminal charges against him and his family in the alleged IRCTC scam case.
The matter is scheduled for a hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on January 5.
Earlier, On October 13, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts charged Lalu Yadav with corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating. Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi face similar charges related to criminal conspiracy and cheating.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claims that Lalu Yadav and his family received prime land and shares as bribes in return for awarding contracts to a private firm during his tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009.
Allegedly, two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri were leased to Sujata Hotels through a manipulated tender process while land worth crores was transferred to a company linked to Lalu’s wife, Rabri Devi, and son, Tejashwi Yadav, at below market value.
The Yadav family has contested the investigation, asserting that there is no evidence against them and that the case is politically motivated.
In a detailed ruling on October 13, the trial court concluded,
“It had come to a prima facie conclusion that Lalu Yadav was in the complete know of the processes and intervened to influence the transfer of the hotels.”
The court noted that there were significant alterations in the tender process and highlighted that it seemed probable that the land parcels were undervalued at the time of sale, eventually benefiting Lalu Yadav.
The court also indicated that Lalu Yadav’s actions resulted in substantial losses to the public exchequer.
It added,
“Various persons engaged in a conspiracy which may have involved multiple smaller conspiracies.”
Additionally, the court emphasized that the entire affair reflected crony capitalism disguised as promoting private participation.
The court stated,
“This conspiracy is not entirely hidden; the entire transaction is prima facie fraudulent, and the accused cannot be discharged at this stage,”
The IRCTC scam involves alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for Ranchi and Puri railway hotels when Lalu Prasad Yadav was Union Railways Minister (2004–2009).
Additionally, On 13 October 2025, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court formally framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and 11 others for cheating, criminal conspiracy, and violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act.