Big setback for RJD ahead of Bihar election: Charges framed against Lalu, family in IRCTC case

RJD chief and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his wife and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, appeared at the Rouse Avenue Court.

The Rouse Avenue court on Monday framed charges against JD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and others.

This case pertains to alleged corruption in the tender of two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri. The Rouse Avenue Court is likely to pronounce an order on the charge in the IRCTC hotels corruption case and land for job corruption case.

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

#WATCH | Delhi: RJD chief and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his wife and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, leave from the Rouse Avenue Court. https://t.co/F9E3EhYNzkpic.twitter.com/wMwxIYn463

— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2025

According to ANI, the court had framed charges in different sections against the accused persons as per their alleged roles. Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav are charged with sections 420 and 120B of the IPC for the offence of cheating and conspiracy. They said that they will face the trial.

While framing the charges against the RJD patriarch, the court remarked: "You engaged in conspiracy and abused your position." You engaged in conspiracy and abused your position as a public servant. You influenced the tender and manipulated eligibility conditions. You conspired for undervalued purchase of land parcels," the Delhi court said.

Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav also pleaded not guilty.   Last month, the judge had directed Yadav and other accused in the matter to appear before the court physically.

The case is related to Group D appointments made in the West Central Zone of the Indian Railways based in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during Yadav's tenure as the railway minister between 2004 and 2009, allegedly in return for land parcels gifted or transferred by the recruits in the name of the RJD supremo's family or associates.

The case was registered on May 18, 2022, against Yadav and others, including his wife, two daughters, unidentified public officials and private persons.

It was  alleged that there were irregularities in the grant of operational contracts of two IRCTC hotels to a private firm.

According to the CBI chargesheet, a conspiracy was hatched between 2004 and 2014.  BNR Hotel of the Indian Railways, which has units in Puri and Ranchi, was first transferred to IRCTC and later, for operations, maintenance, and upkeep, given on lease to Sujata Hotels, which is based in Patna, Bihar.

The tender process, the agency alleged, was rigged to help Sujata Hotels.

The chargesheet also names the then Group General Managers of IRCTC VK Asthana and RK 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 have also been named as accused firms in the chargesheet, according to Times of India.