Court to Continue Hearing on March 1
New Delhi, February 28
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has presented sufficient evidence to prosecute Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and others in a corruption case linked to alleged irregularities in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the agency informed a Delhi court on Friday.The submission was made before special judge Vishal Gogne, who has started hearing arguments on the charges against the accused, which include criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption. If convicted, these charges carry a maximum jail term of seven years.
Court Sets Next Hearing Date
After hearing part of the submissions from the CBI, the court scheduled further arguments for March 1, 2024. Additionally, it directed the investigative agency to present a list of documents in response to a plea filed by senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the accused. The accused, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav, are currently out on bail.Case Background: Allegations of Rigged IRCTC Tenders
The case revolves around alleged corruption in the awarding of operational contracts for two IRCTC hotels to a private firm. According to the CBI’s chargesheet, the conspiracy took place between 2004 and 2014, during which time BNR Hotels in Puri and Ranchi, initially under Indian Railways, were transferred to IRCTC. Subsequently, their operations, maintenance, and management were leased to Sujata Hotels Private Limited, based in Patna, Bihar.The CBI alleges that the tender process was manipulated to benefit Sujata Hotels, with conditions tweaked in its favor.
Accused Individuals and Companies
The chargesheet names several individuals and entities, including:- V K Asthana and R K Goyal – Then Group General Managers of IRCTC
- Vijay Kochhar and Vinay Kochhar – Directors of Sujata Hotels and owners of Chanakya Hotel
- Delight Marketing Company (now Lara Projects) and Sujata Hotels Private Limited as accused firms.