A Delhi court has ordered the commencement of trial against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, their son Tejashwi Yadav, and others in connection with the alleged IRCTC land-for-contract scam. The order was passed by Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne at the Rouse Avenue Court.
The court has framed charges of criminal conspiracy, corruption, and cheating against Lalu Prasad Yadav. Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav have also been charged under similar provisions, including conspiracy and dishonest inducement. All accused have pleaded not guilty, paving the way for a full-fledged trial.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as the Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, contracts for the management of IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri were allegedly awarded to Sujata Hotels through manipulated tender procedures. In exchange, prime parcels of land, valued at several crores, were allegedly transferred at undervalued rates to entities linked to the Yadav family.
The defence has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the case is politically driven and unsupported by substantive evidence.
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