NEW DELHI — A Delhi court on Friday deferred until November 19 the formal framing of charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and several others in the money laundering case linked to the IRCTC hotel scam. The special court had scheduled the proceeding to formally frame charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on the basis of a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate. Special Judge Prashant Kumar adjourned the hearing after the accused moved applications seeking deferment, which drew no opposition from the prosecution. The judge directed all accused individuals to remain personally present on the next date of hearing, barring those who have obtained judicial exemption from a superior court or secured a stay on proceedings.
Court Ordered Charges Against Nine Accused After Discharging Seven
The money laundering prosecution originated from an Enforcement Directorate complaint that initially named 16 persons as accused. On September 10, the predecessor court discharged seven individuals from the matter while ordering that charges be framed against the remaining nine, observing that a grave suspicion existed regarding their conduct. The court had also rejected contentions raised by defense counsel that the prosecution was motivated by political vendetta, observing that the nature, timing, and trajectory of the probe showed no indication of political malice against Lalu Prasad Yadav.
The money laundering investigation runs parallel to a separate corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the same set of transactions. In that case, the trial court had framed formal corruption charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and 11 co-accused in October of last year. Investigators have alleged that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2005 and 2014, railway officials improperly altered tender conditions to ensure that long-term operational leases for railway-owned hotels in Ranchi and Puri were awarded to Sujata Hotels.
Enforcement Directorate Probes Land Transfer Linked to Railway Hotel Leases
Investigating agencies claim that the lease allocations involved an illegal quid pro quo between the railway administration and the private hoteliers. According to the prosecution, Sujata Hotels directors Vinay Kochhar and Vijay Kochhar transferred valuable commercial land situated in Patna to Delight Marketing Company Private Limited at prices far below prevailing market valuations. The corporate entity was owned and controlled by Prem Chand Gupta, identified as a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his wife Sarla Gupta.
The Enforcement Directorate contends that Sarla Gupta and associates subsequently transferred the shareholding of Delight Marketing Company Private Limited to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav at nominal rates. The business entity was subsequently renamed Lara Projects LLP, effectively passing ownership of the Patna land to an enterprise associated with the former Chief Minister’s family members. Investigators are tracing this trail to establish that the land acquisition and share transfers represented illicit compensation extended in return for the railway hotel contracts.
Court Directs Mandatory Appearance at Next Hearing on November 19
With the proceedings now adjourned to November 19, the special court is scheduled to proceed with the formal framing of charges against the nine accused persons. Special Judge Prashant Kumar emphasized that the requirement of personal presence would be strictly enforced to ensure that the prosecution advances without further procedural delays.
Once the court completes the formal reading and framing of charges, the long-running matter will transition into the trial phase, where the prosecution will be required to prove the allegations on merit. The legal claims regarding corruption and financial laundering remain subject to final judicial determination.
