|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
IRCTC Hotel Scam Case News
A Delhi court on Monday officially framed corruption and cheating charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav in the high-profile IRCTC hotel scam case. The court found sufficient grounds to proceed against them on charges of corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy related to alleged irregularities in the allotment of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister.
The case revolves around the awarding of contracts for the operation and maintenance of IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri to a private firm, Sujata Hotels. According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), these contracts were allegedly granted in exchange for prime land that was transferred at an undervalued rate to companies linked to the Yadav family. The CBI has claimed that the deals were structured through benami (proxy) companies, resulting in a financial loss to the government and unlawful gain to those involved.
In its ruling, Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court stated that there is prima facie evidence to move forward with the case and rejected the pleas to discharge the accused. Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav have all pleaded not guilty and are now set to face trial. Charges have been framed under IPC Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The court has also highlighted concerns regarding the land transfer deals made to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav, suggesting that the transactions were made at highly undervalued rates, raising suspicions of quid pro quo arrangements linked to the hotel tenders. The judge noted that the evidence collected by the CBI points to a deliberate attempt to misuse public office for private benefit.
This case has a long timeline, stretching back to 2017 when the CBI first registered an FIR. A formal chargesheet followed in 2018, naming Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and several others. While Lalu was granted bail in 2019 due to health reasons, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav had secured bail earlier in 2018. The framing of charges now clears the way for a full-fledged trial to begin soon.
The development has drawn sharp political reactions. Tejashwi Yadav has termed the case a political vendetta, claiming it is an attempt to damage his family’s image and weaken the opposition ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Meanwhile, the CBI maintains that the investigation is based purely on evidence, asserting that public resources were exploited for private gain during Lalu Yadav’s term as Railway Minister.
The IRCTC hotel scam is one of several corruption cases that have shadowed Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has already been convicted in multiple fodder scam cases. However, the IRCTC case holds special significance as it also involves his wife and son, both active political figures in Bihar. As the trial begins, it is expected to not only reignite debates on corruption in public office but also influence the political climate in Bihar in the months leading up to the elections. This latest court order marks a crucial turning point in the long-running case, signaling that the judicial process will now move toward trial after years of investigation and procedural delays. The outcome could have lasting implications both legally and politically for one of Bihar’s most powerful political families.
