New Delhi, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : A Delhi court has postponed its decision regarding charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and his family in a money laundering case. This case is tied to the investigation of the IRCTC hotel scam by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Rouse Avenue Court was expected to announce its ruling on Monday but has now rescheduled the decision for September 10. The ED’s case stems from allegations of money laundering related to the proceeds of crime arising from the IRCTC hotel scam investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The agency claims that irregularities occurred in awarding contracts for the operation of IRCTC hotels during Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. According to the prosecution, maintenance contracts were allegedly awarded to a private company linked to Yadav’s close associates, bypassing established criteria.
Additionally, it is alleged that in exchange for these contracts, a prime piece of land spanning three acres was acquired through a shell company associated with Yadav’s family and associates.
The accused in this case include Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, their sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, among others.
Previously, a special judge had reserved the order on framing charges after hearing extensive arguments from the accused and lawyers representing the ED. The Delhi High Court is also reviewing criminal revision petitions filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav, challenging a lower court’s order that directed the framing of charges in this corruption case.
Last October, the Rouse Avenue Court had framed charges against the accused under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act for offenses related to fraud, criminal conspiracy, and corruption, while they maintained their innocence. Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that the tenders for IRCTC hotels were awarded in a fair and transparent manner.
Leave a Comment