NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Monday formally framed charges against former Union minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in the IRCTC hotels corruption case.Key details:
- Accused and Appearance: Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav appeared physically before the Delhi court on Monday, following the court’s earlier direction for all accused to be present.
- Charges Framed: The Delhi Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne formally framed charges against them, including criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B) and cheating (IPC 420). All three pleaded not guilty, and the court said the case will now proceed to trial.
- Case Background: The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the tender process for the
IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri, with claims that the process was manipulated to benefit a private firm. - Alleged Conspiracy Period: According to the
CBI chargesheet, the alleged conspiracy spanned 2004 to 2014, during which the BNR Hotel units in Puri and Ranchi were first transferred to IRCTC and then leased toSujata Hotels , Patna, under conditions allegedly rigged to favor the company. - Other Accused Individuals and Firms: The chargesheet also names then IRCTC Group General Managers VK Asthana and RK Goyal, Sujata Hotels directors Vijay and Vinay Kochhar, and
Delight Marketing Company (now Lara Projects) as part of the alleged conspiracy.
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‘IRCTC Scam’The charges stem from alleged manipulation of operational contracts for IRCTC hotels. According to the CBI, a conspiracy was hatched between 2004 and 2014.During this period, BNR Hotel units in Puri and Ranchi were first transferred to IRCTC and later leased to Sujata Hotels of Patna for operations and maintenance under allegedly rigged tender conditions designed to benefit the firm. The chargesheet also names then IRCTC Group General Managers VK Asthana and RK Goyal, and Sujata Hotels directors Vijay and Vinay Kochhar, as well as Delight Marketing Company (now Lara Projects) among the accused.
