Patna: The Lalu family has suffered a major setback ahead of the Bihar elections. The RJD supremo and former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, former chief minister Rabri Devi and his son Tejashwi Yadav have been charged in the IRCTC scam.
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and others in the IRCTC scam. Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi have been charged under sections 420 and 120B of the IPC. “After the hearing in the court, Tejashwi Yadav said that “”will face the case.””” The case pertains to alleged corruption in the tender of two IRCTC hotels in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi and Odisha’s Puri.
What is the case?: This case is between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister. During that time, the process of awarding contracts to private companies for the operation of BNR hotels in Puri and Ranchi was initiated under IRCTC, a subsidiary of Indian Railways. According to the CBI investigation, there were alleged irregularities in the process so that Sujata Hotels Private Limited could be given an unfair advantage.
Profit-for-profit case: The investigating agency has alleged that a benami company belonging to the Lalu family was given land in Patna at a much lower price than the market rate in exchange for awarding the contract to Sujata Hotels Private Limited Company. This land is said to be linked to ‘Delegate Marketing Private Limited’, a company owned by the Lalu family. “The CBI says that this is a case of “”quid pro quo”” i.e. “”profit for transaction””.”
CBI’s allegations and Lalu family’s side: In its chargesheet, the CBI has filed charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, criminal conspiracy (Section 120B of the IPC) and sections related to fraud. The agency claims that the official position was misused in the case. At the same time, the Lalu family says that this whole matter is the result of political revenge. “Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav have always described the case as a “”political conspiracy””.” He says central government agencies are being used to tarnish the image of the opposition and weaken the grand alliance ahead of the elections.
Hearing and process so far: In this case, the court had reserved the order after hearing the arguments of both sides on 29 May 2025. The date of the order was later postponed due to technical reasons and a new date for pronouncement of the verdict was set for today, October 13. The court had directed all the accused to be physically present. After this, the Lalu family reached Delhi on Sunday evening. Today, the court will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to frame the charges. If the court finds the evidence sufficient, the charges will be settled and the matter will go to the trial court. If the court finds the evidence weak, then the Lalu family can get a big relief.
Possible consequences and consequences: If the charges are settled, the case will go to the trial stage, where the court will pronounce its final verdict after witness testimony, documentary evidence and debate. If the charges are proved, the convicts could face a maximum sentence of seven years under the relevant sections. At the same time, if the court refuses to fix the charges, then the Lalu family will get not only legal but also political relief. This can strengthen the grand alliance electorally.
Political agitation in the election season: Assembly elections have been announced in Bihar and the nomination process is also going on. In such a situation, the decision of the IRCTC scam case can directly affect the electoral atmosphere. Tejashwi Yadav is currently the prominent face of the grand alliance and the RJD is deciding the electoral strategy under his leadership. “Political analysts believe that the case is no longer just a legal matter but has become an issue that decides the “”narrative of Bihar politics””.”
Eyes on the verdict: Today’s hearing is under the eyes of the entire country, especially Bihar. If the court gives relief to the Lalu family, then this decision will be a matter of enthusiasm for the RJD camp and the Mahagathbandhan can get electoral momentum. But if the matter goes to trial, it could prove to be a major political blow to the opposition and the ruling party could use it loudly in the election campaign. In such a situation, today’s decision will decide whether it will be a day of relief for the Lalu family or the start of a long legal battle.
