The order, passed by Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts, paves the way for the full trial to commence.
Key Charges Framed
The court found sufficient material to proceed against the accused, who had all appeared physically and pleaded "not guilty" to the charges.
ACCUSED & PRIMARY CHARGED FRAMED
LALU PRASAD YADAV - Corruption (Prevention of Corruption Act), Criminal Conspiracy (IPC 120B), and Cheating (IPC 420).
Rabri Devi - Criminal Conspiracy (IPC 120B) and Cheating (IPC 420).
Tejashwi Yadav - Criminal Conspiracy (IPC 120B) and Cheating (IPC 420).
The charges were also framed against former IRCTC officials, including V.K. Asthana and R.K. Goyal, as well as the directors of Sujata Hotels, the private firm allegedly favoured in the deal.
Case Background: The Alleged Land-for-Contract Swap
The IRCTC scam dates back to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleges that the maintenance and operation contracts for two Indian Railways BNR Hotels in Ranchi and Puri were manipulated and illegally awarded to Sujata Hotels Private Limited, a Patna-based private firm.
In return for this favour, the CBI claims that the Yadav family received a prime plot of land in Patna through a 'benami' company, Delight Marketing Company (now Lara Projects), which was later allegedly transferred to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav at a highly undervalued price.
In its observation, the court noted that Lalu Prasad Yadav, as a public servant, allegedly "abused his position" to manipulate the tender process and eligibility conditions, facilitating the undervalued transfer of land parcels to his family members.
With the framing of charges, the matter will now move to the stage of evidence presentation and examination of witnesses by the prosecution and the defence.