New Delhi, Sep 2026 : A Delhi court on Monday deferred its decision on framing charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members and other accused in the alleged money laundering case linked to the IRCTC hotel scam.
The Rouse Avenue Court was scheduled to pronounce its order on Monday but deferred the decision. The court is now expected to pronounce the order on September 10.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) case relates to alleged money laundering involving proceeds of crime arising from the IRCTC hotel scam case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The probe concerns alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts for operating IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009.
According to the prosecution, contracts for the maintenance and operation of two IRCTC hotels were allegedly awarded to a private company without following prescribed procedures. The company was allegedly linked to close associates of the RJD chief.
Investigators have further alleged that, in return for the contracts, three acres of prime land were acquired through a benami company allegedly connected with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family members and associates.
Those named as accused include Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, besides several others.
The Special Judge had earlier reserved the order after hearing detailed arguments from lawyers representing the accused as well as the ED. The latest deferment means the accused will have to wait further for the court’s decision on whether charges should formally be framed in the money laundering proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court is hearing criminal revision petitions filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav challenging the trial court’s order relating to the framing of charges in the corruption case connected with the alleged scam.
In October last year, the Rouse Avenue Court had framed charges against the accused for alleged offences involving cheating, criminal conspiracy and corruption under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that the tendering process for the IRCTC hotels was conducted fairly and transparently.
The case has remained a significant legal and political issue involving the RJD leadership, with proceedings continuing before courts in Delhi. The next hearing on the framing of charges in the ED case is expected to take place on September 10.
