CBI Alleges Land Transfers in Exchange for IRCTC Hotel Contracts
Lalu, Rabri, and Tejashwi Plead Not Guilty, Call Case Politically Motivated
New Delhi: In a major blow to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, a Delhi court on Monday ordered the framing of criminal and corruption charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav in the infamous IRCTC land-for-hotel scam.
The Rouse Avenue Court found “sufficient material” presented by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to proceed with charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. All three accused pleaded not guilty, with Lalu Yadav stating he was ready to “face trial” and Rabri Devi calling the case “completely baseless.”
Delhi court frames charges against Lalu, Tejashwi, & Rabri in the IRCTC scam.
CBI alleges they took prime land as a BRIBE for IRCTC hotel tenders during Lalu’s tenure as Railway Minister. pic.twitter.com/NbNOa0Jgye— 🌻Adv. Pragati singh🌻 (@legaldilse) October 13, 2025
The case stems from Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister (2004–2009), during which the maintenance contracts for two IRCTC hotels — BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri — were allegedly awarded to Sujata Hotels, owned by the Kochar brothers, in exchange for around three acres of prime land in Patna.
According to the CBI, the tenders were manipulated to favour the Kochar-owned firm, while the land was transferred through a benami company linked to the Yadav family. The court observed that Lalu, now 77, “abused his position as a public servant” and conspired to influence the tender process, causing financial loss to the government.
Tejashwi Yadav, who leads the RJD’s Bihar campaign as its chief ministerial face, also faces charges of cheating and conspiracy. The court noted a “grave suspicion” of coordinated efforts by the three accused and others to secure illegal favours linked to IRCTC properties.
The CBI registered the case in 2017 and filed a chargesheet citing a “clear chain of evidence” linking the alleged irregular tenders to the land transfers. Lalu’s counsel, however, argued that the tenders were fair and that the CBI’s case lacked substantive proof.
The court disagreed, ruling that a full-fledged trial must proceed — adding another legal challenge for the RJD patriarch, already convicted in multiple fodder scam cases.
