Lalu Yadav, Tejasvi Yadav and Rabri Devi to face charges in IRCTC scam, major setback ahead of Bihar elections

PTC News Desk: In a major blow to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, a Delhi court on Monday ordered the framing of charges against him, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the IRCTC scam case. The court’s order, issued just weeks before the Bihar Assembly elections, stated that Lalu Yadav had “engaged in conspiracy” and “misused his position” as a public servant. The chargesheet alleged that he received nearly three acres of prime land in Patna through a benami company.

According to the court, the 77-year-old leader is accused of exploiting his position as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009 to manipulate the tender process for personal gain. The charges claim he altered tender eligibility norms and facilitated the undervalued acquisition of land from the Kochar family.

“Lalu Yadav engaged in conspiracy and abused his official position. He manipulated tender conditions and conspired to acquire land parcels at undervalued rates from the Kocchars,” the court stated, adding that he, along with other accused, transferred effective control of these lands to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav.

The CBI’s evidence indicated irregularities in the tender process and direct interventions by Lalu Yadav to influence the transfer of hotels linked to these land assets.

“The CBI presented a chain of evidence suggesting that Lalu Yadav conspired and misused his position as Railway Minister, leading to undervalued land being transferred to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav,” the court observed.

It further noted that the undervaluation and transfer of these properties raised serious concerns and appeared to have caused a financial loss to the state exchequer. The court concluded that there was “grave suspicion” of a coordinated conspiracy involving multiple individuals to transfer land ownership and allocate shares at artificially low prices.