Delhi High Court Issues Notice to ED in Laloo Prasad Yadavs Money Laundering Case
The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the ED in a money laundering case involving Laloo Prasad Yadav linked to the IRCTC scam.
New Delhi, October 29 (Daily Kiran) : The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a petition filed by Laloo Prasad Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). This notice comes as Yadav challenges the lower court’s order that framed charges against him in a money laundering case related to the IRCTC hotel scam.
Justice Sachin Dutta of the High Court granted the notice and allowed Yadav the opportunity to appeal for a stay from the lower court until the next hearing. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for December 3.
In his petition, Yadav contests the trial court’s ruling that established charges against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), seeking relief from the High Court.
Earlier in September, Special Judge Vishal Gogna at the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and several others, stating that a prima facie case of money laundering existed against them. The court also acquitted seven other accused individuals, with the ED conducting the investigation.
The case pertains to irregularities in the allocation of contracts for the operation of hotels by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) during Yadav’s tenure as the Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. According to the ED, contracts for hotel maintenance were awarded to a private company linked to Yadav’s close associates without following established guidelines. In return, land acquisition involving three acres was conducted through a proxy company associated with Yadav’s family and associates.
This money laundering case is linked to a primary offense registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning the IRCTC hotel scam. The Delhi High Court is already hearing criminal revision petitions filed by Yadav, his wife, and son, challenging the lower court’s order that charged them with corruption, criminal conspiracy, and fraud related to the IRCTC hotel scam.
Yadav has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that the tenders for the IRCTC hotels were awarded in a fair and transparent manner.
