IRCTC case: Court frames charges against Lalu, Rabri and Tejashwi

A court in New Delhi on Monday, October 13, 2025, framed charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar CM Rabri Devi and their son Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of Opposition in the state, in the alleged IRCTC scam case, paving the way for a hearing ahead of elections in Bihar.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne framed charges of joint criminal conspiracy and cheating against Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav in the case arising from alleged irregularities in awarding the management contracts of two hotels owned by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to a private firm.

The court also filed charges against Lalu Prasad under the Prevention of Corruption Act. They did not accept the accusations. A detailed order in the case is awaited.

Earlier on September 24, the court had ordered all defendants to physically appear in court for its decision on the charges.

According to the CBI indictment, it is alleged that between 2004 and 2014, a conspiracy was hatched in which BNR hotels owned by Indian Railways at Puri and Ranchi were first handed over to IRCTC and later leased to Patna, Bihar-based Sujata Hotels Private Limited for their operations, maintenance and maintenance.

According to the agency, the bidding process was fraudulent and manipulated and conditions were changed to help Sujata Hotels, a private entity.

The indictment also includes the group general managers of IRCTC VK Asthana and RK Goyal, as well as the managers of Sujata Hotels and the owners of Chanakya Hotel, Vijay Kochhar and Vinay Kochhar.

Delight Marketing Company, now known as Lara Projects, and Sujata Hotels Private Limited were also among the companies charged in the indictment.