New Delhi, Sep 10: In a major development in the alleged IRCTC hotel tender scam, a Delhi Special MP-MLA Court has ordered framing of money laundering charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts held that there was sufficient material to proceed against the accused in the Lara Projects money laundering case. The court also found a “strong suspicion” regarding the alleged money laundering offences.
The case relates to alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009.
According to the prosecution, the hotel tenders were allegedly manipulated to favour Sujata Hotels. In return, a prime Patna land parcel was allegedly transferred at a significantly undervalued price to a company linked to Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav through associates.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has described the Patna property as “proceeds of crime”, alleging that it was subsequently laundered and enjoyed by members of the Lalu family.
The court also framed charges against former Union Minister Prem Chand Gupta, his wife Sarla Gupta, Lara Projects LLP, Sujata Hotels and its directors Vinay Kochhar and Vijay Kochhar.
Rejecting the defence’s allegations of political vendetta, the court observed that the investigation was not politically motivated and noted allegations that tender conditions were altered during Lalu Yadav’s ministerial tenure to favour a particular firm.
The development follows the court’s October 2025 order framing corruption, criminal conspiracy and cheating charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav in the related CBI case.
Meanwhile, the court discharged seven co-accused for lack of evidence, including Lalu Yadav’s son-in-law Rahul Yadav and Abhishek Finance Private Limited.
The remaining accused have been directed to appear before Special Judge Prashant Kumar at the Rouse Avenue Courts on October 3.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the Yadav family, said the order would be challenged before the High Court. The defence maintained that the accused are innocent and argued that the discharge of seven co-accused supports their contention that the case is politically motivated.
The legal battle is now set to move to the High Court, even as the money laundering proceedings against the Lalu family and other accused continue.
