Charges framed against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav in IRCTC and 'Land for Jobs' case

Major Legal Setback for Prominent Political Family Ahead of Bihar Elections

Just weeks before the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a major political storm has erupted as former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav face serious legal challenges. In a significant development, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has framed charges against the trio in the IRCTC scam case, while the hearing in the land-for-jobs case has been postponed to November 10.

The timing of the court’s decision—coming right after the announcement of election dates—has added fresh political heat in Bihar’s already charged atmosphere.

Court Frames Charges in IRCTC Case

On Monday, Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and 11 others in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) case. The allegations stem from Lalu Prasad’s tenure as the Railway Minister, during which contracts for the maintenance of two IRCTC hotels were allegedly awarded to a private company in exchange for undue benefits.

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the contracts were awarded through irregular means, involving fraud, criminal conspiracy, and corruption. The agency accused Lalu Yadav of misusing his position to favor certain companies.

The defense, however, argued that the CBI lacks sufficient evidence to justify a trial. Despite their objections, the court found prima facie grounds to proceed and formally framed charges against all 14 accused.

What the Charges Include

The court has framed charges under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 420 (cheating) and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy). Additionally, Lalu Prasad Yadav faces separate charges under Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deal with public servants accused of corruption and abuse of office.

When asked by the court whether they accepted the charges, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav all denied the allegations, asserting that they are innocent and ready to face trial. Rabri Devi reportedly told the court that the case against them is “false and politically motivated.”

Land-for-Jobs Case Adjourned

The court also had a scheduled hearing in the land-for-jobs scam, another case involving the same family. However, the matter was adjourned until November 10, when the next round of hearings will take place.

In this case, the CBI alleges that between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as Railway Minister, several people were appointed to Group D posts in Indian Railways in exchange for transferring parcels of land to companies owned by or linked to Lalu’s family. The land transfers reportedly took place in cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Jabalpur, Jaipur, and Hajipur.

The prosecution maintains that these land transfers were a quid pro quo arrangement, violating both service rules and anti-corruption laws.

Political and Legal Implications

This dual blow comes at a politically sensitive time. With elections around the corner, the developments could influence both public perception and political strategy in Bihar. The RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), led by Tejashwi Yadav, has dismissed the charges as an attempt to tarnish their image ahead of polls, calling the investigations “motivated by political vendetta.”

Legal experts believe that while the trial process could take months, the framing of charges marks a critical step in both cases. It formally places the accused on record for trial and may impact their campaign narratives during the election period.

For now, the court’s decision ensures that the IRCTC and land-for-jobs cases will continue to shadow the Lalu family as Bihar prepares for yet another closely watched electoral battle.