New Delhi, May 6: The legal proceedings against the Lalu family in connection with the IRCTC scam have been postponed. On Wednesday, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi delayed its decision on framing charges in the money laundering case. The next hearing is now scheduled for May 22, when the court is expected to announce its ruling.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Lalu Prasad Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, along with his son Tejashwi Yadav, wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and several others.
It is noteworthy that the hearing was also postponed earlier on April 16, when the court was supposed to frame charges, but the proceedings were pushed forward, leading to the new date of May 6.
This case pertains to the IRCTC hotel tender scam, which allegedly took place between 2004 and 2014, during which Lalu Prasad Yadav served as the Railway Minister in the central government. Investigative agencies claim that rules were violated in awarding tenders for the maintenance of two IRCTC hotels, resulting in undue benefits to a private company.
Allegations suggest that in exchange for this tender, a company linked to the Lalu family received land or other financial advantages. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has stated that there was an abuse of power and serious irregularities in the tender process.
The CBI registered an FIR on July 7, 2017, naming Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Rabri Devi, and several others. Following this, multiple raids were conducted in Delhi, Patna, Ranchi, and Gurugram, where crucial documents and evidence were recovered.
However, Lalu Yadav and his family have vehemently denied all allegations, claiming that the case is entirely a political conspiracy aimed at framing them.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
