IRCTC money laundering case: Lalu, Rabri and Tejashwi appear in court; next hearing on October 30

New Delhi, October 3: In the money laundering case related to the IRCTC hotel tender, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Prasad Yadav, and other accused appeared before the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Saturday. The formal procedure for framing charges could not be completed in court. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 30, 2026.

In this matter, the court of Special Judge Vashal Gogane had ordered on September 10 that charges be framed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against nine out of a total of 16 accused, while seven accused were discharged from the case. The nine accused include Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Yadav, Lara Projects, Sarla Gupta, Prem Chand Gupta, Sajata Hotels, and hotel business owners Vinay Kochhar and Vijay Kochhar.

On October 3, the accused were required to appear in court under this order. Although Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Yadav, and other accused appeared in court, the formal procedure for framing charges could not be completed on that day. This procedure will proceed at the next hearing.

The case dates back to when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Union Minister of Railways. According to the CBI and ED, alleged irregularities occurred in the tender process for the operation and maintenance of two hotels located in Ranchi and Puri under the Railways. The investigating agencies allege that the tenders for these hotels were awarded to Sajata Hotels Private Limited, in exchange for which a transaction involving land in Patna took place.

The ED alleges that the Patna land was first transferred through a transaction at a lower price to a company, and subsequently, the shares of that company were transferred to Rabri Devi and Tejaswi Yadav. The agency links this entire transaction to the alleged benefits received in exchange for the hotel tender. These allegations are currently part of the case, and no final judicial verdict has been rendered on them.

On September 10, the Rouse Avenue Court ordered the framing of charges under PMLA against the nine accused based on the available material. The court stated that there was sufficient material initially to proceed with the case. The court discharged seven other accused, finding no appropriate basis to frame charges against them.

Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family have consistently denied the allegations. The defense has also argued that the investigation is politically motivated, a position that the court did not accept in its September 10 order.

The next hearing in the case will be held on October 30, 2026. The formal procedure for framing charges is expected to proceed on that occasion. Subsequently, the judicial proceedings against the accused will advance in accordance with the prescribed legal process.