The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a plea filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, challenging the framing of criminal charges against him in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case.
After a brief hearing, a single-judge Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma sought the CBI’s response to Yadav’s criminal revision petition, as well as his application seeking a stay on the trial court proceedings.
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Maninder Singh, appearing for Tejashwi Yadav, informed the court that it has already listed a similar plea filed by his father, RJD chief and former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, for hearing on January 14.
Taking note of the submission, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directed the court to hear Tejashwi Yadav’s plea on the same date to ensure a consolidated consideration of the related petitions.
In his petition, Tejashwi Yadav has challenged the order passed by the Rouse Avenue Court, which found sufficient grounds to proceed against him and other accused for offences linked to corruption, criminal conspiracy and cheating in connection with the IRCTC hotel scam.
In an order dated October 13, 2025, Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Vishal Gogne allowed the framing of charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, his son Tejashwi Yadav and other accused after they pleaded not guilty.
The special court directed that the accused face trial under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Background of the Case
The court had reserved its order on May 29 after hearing detailed arguments on whether charges should be framed.
Other accused in the case include Prem Gupta, Sarla Gupta and former railway officials Rakesh Saksena and PK Goyal.
The alleged scam pertains to the period between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as the Union Railway Minister.
The prosecution alleges that authorities leased two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels during this period without following prescribed norms.
According to the CBI, officials allotted one hotel to Sarla Gupta, the wife of Prem Gupta, a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav and a Rajya Sabha MP at the time
The agency further claims that the RJD chief acquired three acres of prime land through a benami company as part of the alleged arrangement.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintained that authorities awarded the tenders in a fair and transparent manner. He has sought discharge from the case, asserting that he committed no irregularities during his tenure as Railway Minister.
The Delhi High Court will now examine the legal validity of the trial court’s decision when it hears both pleas later this month.
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