New Delhi, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : A significant ruling emerged from a special court in New Delhi on September 11, as it ordered charges to be framed against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the IRCTC hotel scam. The case involves allegations of money laundering.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI had previously registered a case against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, P.C. Gupta, and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988.
Investigations revealed that while serving as the Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav misused his official position. He awarded contracts for railway hotels in Puri and Ranchi to Sujata Hotel Private Limited. In return, a deal was struck to transfer two acres of land at a reduced price to Delight Marketing Company Private Limited, which is controlled by close associates of Yadav.
Subsequently, the control of this land and company was transferred to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav, effectively consolidating ownership within the Yadav family through nominal share purchases.
The ED exercised its powers under Section 5 of the PMLA to seize assets worth ₹44.75 crore, a move later upheld by a designated authority. On August 24, 2018, the ED filed a prosecution complaint in the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi.
The court has now directed that charges be framed against Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and six other accused under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA.
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