Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family have been hit with a major legal blow as a Delhi court has formally filed charges against him, his wife Rabri Devi, his son Tejashwi Yadav, and 11 others in the IRCTC hotel tender scam case. The decision, delivered by Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne at Rouse Avenue Court, comes at a politically sensitive time, just months before the Bihar assembly elections. The ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance has welcomed the verdict, viewing it as an opportunity to highlight alleged corruption in opposition parties.
Court Proceedings and Charges
All 14 accused attended the hearing, where the court rejected their pleas citing insufficient evidence. Lalu faces serious charges, including IPC 420 (cheating), Section 120B IPC (criminal conspiracy), and provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act (Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2)) for misuse of office in manipulating hotel tenders. Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav are charged under IPC 420 and 120B for forgery and conspiracy, though they are not yet implicated under anti-corruption provisions.
Lalu Denies Allegations
After the charges were read, Lalu termed them “absolute lies,” pledging to contest the case. He, along with Rabri and Tejashwi, denied all allegations. However, the court referred to the CBI’s evidence linking Lalu’s direct involvement in granting hotel contracts to friends and associates. Allegations also suggest that local Bihar residents, in exchange for donating prime land to Lalu’s companies, benefited from Group D railway jobs, generating “unfair” profits.
Other Accused and Crime Details
Ex-IRCTC officials VK Asthana and RK Goyal, along with Sujata Hotels directors Vijay and Vinay Kochar, are among the accused. According to the CBI, the scam, uncovered in 2017, involved fraudulent transactions in Mumbai, Ranchi, and Jaipur, resulting in the diversion of public funds.
Political Implications for Bihar Elections
The RJD, once a stronghold of the Yadav family, now faces severe political scrutiny. With Bihar elections approaching, BJP and JD(U) are expected to aggressively target the RJD, framing the Yadavs as symbols of corruption. The trial marks a critical juncture for the family’s political legacy — whether it leads to collapse or revival remains to be seen.