New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Delhi court on Thursday framed charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav and other accused in the alleged money laundering case linked to the IRCTC hotel scam, paving the way for the commencement of trial proceedings.
Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts held that a prima facie case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was made out against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and other accused, including Sarla Gupta, Lara Projects and Sujata Hotel.
The court also discharged seven accused in the money laundering case. The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 3.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that the accused were involved in laundering proceeds of crime arising from alleged irregularities in the award of contracts for operating IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009.
According to the ED, contracts for the maintenance and operation of the hotels were allegedly awarded to a private company linked to close associates of Lalu Prasad Yadav without following prescribed procedures. The agency has further alleged that, in return, three acres of prime land were acquired through a benami company allegedly linked to members of the Yadav family and their associates.
The PMLA case stems from a CBI case registered in connection with the alleged IRCTC hotel scam.
The Delhi High Court is separately hearing criminal revision petitions filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav challenging the trial court’s order directing framing of charges against them in the corruption case arising from the same alleged scam.
In October last year, the Rouse Avenue Court had framed charges against the accused for alleged offences of cheating, criminal conspiracy and corruption under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The accused had pleaded not guilty.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that the tenders for the IRCTC hotels were awarded through a fair and transparent process.
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