New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday framed charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, their son Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Leader of Opposition in the state, in the alleged Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) scam case, setting the stage for a trial ahead of polls in Bihar.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne framed common charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating against Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav in the case, which stems from alleged irregularities in the grant of operational contracts of two IRCTC hotels to a private firm.

The court also framed charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Lalu Prasad.

Since all the accused have pleaded not guilty, the matter will now proceed to trial.

Earlier on September 24, the court had directed all accused persons to appear physically for its order on framing charges.

The case pertains to allegations of corruption in the allotment of maintenance work contracts for IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. It is alleged that the maintenance contract of two IRCTC hotels, namely BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri, was awarded to Sujata Hotel, a private firm owned by Vijay and Vinay Kochar. The CBI has alleged that in return for this deal, Lalu Prasad Yadav got three acres of prime land through a benami company.

The tender process, the agency alleged, was rigged and manipulated and the conditions were tweaked to help Sujata Hotels.

The chargesheet also names the group general managers of IRCTC V K Asthana and R K Goyal, and Vijay Kochhar, Vinay Kochhar, both directors of Sujata Hotels and owners of Chanakya Hotel.

Delight Marketing Company, now known as Lara Projects, and Sujata Hotels Private Limited have also been named as accused firms in the chargesheet.

On July 7, 2017, the CBI filed an FIR against Lalu. The agency also raided 12 locations linked to Lalu and his family members in Patna, New Delhi, Ranchi and Gurgaon.

On March 1, 2025, the CBI concluded its arguments on charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Yadav, and former Union Minister Prem Chand Gupta and others. The court reserved its order on May 29 after hearing day-to-day arguments from both the prosecution and defence.
(with inputs from PTI and ANI)