Big Blow to RJD! Lalu, Rabri, and Tejashwi Face Fresh Charges in IRCTC Scam Just Before Bihar Elections

The Court has Framed Charges of Corruption, Criminal Conspiracy, and Cheating against Lalu Yadav under the Prevention of Corruption Act

In a major development, a Delhi court has framed charges in a corruption case against Lalu Prasad Yadav, founder of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The charges also include Lalu’s wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and several others in the alleged IRCTC Scam case.

The veteran politician and his family members pleaded not guilty and said they would face trial.

IRCTC Scam & Charges

The case, investigated by the CBI, alleges that during Lalu Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, tenders for two IRCTC hotels named BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri were manipulated and awarded to Sujata Hotels. In return, the Yadav family allegedly received three acres of prime plot through another company at a fraction of the market rate. 

Filed in 2017, the CBI told the Delhi court that there is sufficient material to frame charges against all the accused.

The Rouse Avenue court has framed charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating against Lalu Yadav under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Chief Minister candidate Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi are charged with several offences, including conspiracy and cheating.

Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order.

What did the Court say?

The court noted that "probable fraud must be tried as cheating" and that “the loss to the exchequer is not a euphemism but a monetary loss”. “The conspiracy is sublime, but is not hidden from the court's view," it noted further.

“There were material modifications in the tender process… It has emerged as a distinct possibility that at the point of sale, the land parcels were undervalued and then came to be vested in the hands of Lalu Yadav,” the Court said. 

“Various persons engaged in a conspiracy which may have involved multiple smaller conspiracies,” the Court added. 

Further, the Court stressed that the “entire process amounted to crony capitalism in the garb of promoting private participation.”

“This conspiracy is not entirely hidden; the entire transaction is prima facie fraudulent, and the accused cannot be discharged at this stage,” the Court said.

Lalu Yadav's counsel had argued that there is no material to frame the charges and that the tenders were awarded fairly.

Tejashwi Yadav Reacts

At Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, Tejashwi Yadav told ANI, “We will fight this case. We have said from the beginning that such actions would come because elections are approaching. We respect the court’s verdict and will face the case head-on”.

“The people of Bihar are intelligent and understand what is happening – this is clearly a political vendetta. The people of Bihar and the country know the truth. I will continue to fight against the BJP as long as I live,” the CM candidate added further.

As the Bihar Assembly poll approaches, a more tense showdown is expected between the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan and the Nitish Kumar-BJP alliance following the court order on the issue of corruption.