A Delhi court deferred its decision on framing charges against RJD leader Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and others in the IRCTC hotel scam case until August 5, 2025. Special Judge Vishal Gogne, who reserved the order on May 29 after extensive arguments, sought further clarification from the CBI, prolonging the high-profile corruption case.

The CBI alleges that between 2004 and 2014, during Lalu’s tenure as railway minister, a conspiracy enabled the transfer of two BNR hotels in Puri and Ranchi to IRCTC, which were then leased to Sujata Hotels Private Limited through a rigged tender process.

The chargesheet accuses Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi, and others, including former IRCTC officials V.K. Asthana and R.K. Goyal, and Sujata Hotels directors Vijay and Vinay Kochhar, of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption, carrying a maximum seven-year sentence. The CBI claims Lalu received a three-acre prime land plot via a benami company as a bribe.

Lalu, Rabri, and Tejashwi, represented by senior advocate Maninder Singh, have denied the charges, arguing the CBI’s case lacks evidence and is politically motivated. Lalu also challenged the validity of prosecution sanctions. The CBI, however, insists there is sufficient evidence, as stated in court on February 28.

The case, involving 14 accused, including Lara Projects (formerly Delight Marketing), continues to draw attention amid ongoing political tensions.

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