IRCTC scam case: Court frames money laundering charges against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi

A Delhi court on Thursday framed money laundering charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tejashwi Yadav and wife Rabri Devi in connection with alleged irregularities in the leasing of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation hotels, Live Law reported.

The court observed that during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as the railways minister between 2004 and 2009, officials allegedly manipulated a tender to award leases for hotels in Ranchi and Puri, the legal news outlet reported.

The directors of the companies that received the leases allegedly transferred a plot of land in Patna to Sarla Gupta, an associate of Lalu Yadav. Sarla Gupta later allegedly transferred her shares in the companies to Rabri Devi for a nominal amount.

Sarla Gupta and her husband Prem Chand Gupta, a former Union minister, have also been named as suspects in the case.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order framing charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Formal charges will be framed on October 3.

“There exists a strong suspicion of abuse of office and proceeds of crime in the hands of Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav”, Live Law quoted the court as saying.

It added that the RJD leaders continued to enjoy a “tainted land” in Patna, which was...

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