Delhi court includes PMLA charges against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi in IRCTC case

RJD National President Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. File | Photo credit: ANI

As there were “strong suspicions of misuse of office by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad” Yadav, a Delhi court ordered the filing of charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, their son and RJD MLA Yadav, alleged irregularities in connection with Indian Railways Tejashwi and several others irregularities in Indian Railways. Hotels Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Courts issued the order after hearing arguments from both sides for several months.

Yadav’s family has denied the allegations and questioned the investigation, saying there was no substantial evidence linking them to the alleged wrongdoing. They also claimed that the case is politically motivated.

Money laundering charges

The court also framed charges of money laundering against Sarla Gupta, Prem Chand Gupta, Sujata Hotels, Vinay Kochhar and Vijay Kochar.

However, the court acquitted Mr Lalu Yadav’s son-in-law Rahul Yadav from the proceedings along with Gaurav Gupta, Nath Mal Kankarnia, Vijay Tripathi, DN Tulshyan, Rajiv Relan and Abhishek Finance.

The latest order follows an earlier order on October 13, 2025, when the court framed charges against Mr Lal Yadav for alleged corruption, criminal conspiracy and cheating in a related IRCTC case. Ms. Devi and Mr. Tejashwi Yadav were also charged with offenses including conspiracy and cheating.

Underpaid for IRCTC hotels

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), during his tenure as the Union Railway Minister, Mr. Lalu Yadav allegedly received high value land and shares as illegal consideration for brokering contracts in favor of private parties. The case stems from an FIR registered by the CBI in 2017 against Mr Lal Yadav, his family members, IRCTC officials and others. The agency alleged that between 2004 and 2009, when Mr. Lalu Yadav was the Union Railway Minister, he entered into a criminal conspiracy with the owners of some hotels in Patna and Puri.

The CBI alleged that the tender process for the lease of two IRCTC hotels was rigged and the contracts were awarded to the accused in return for alleged bribes in the form of high-value land and shares.

After completing its investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Lal Yadav and other accused. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) subsequently initiated proceedings under the PMLA based on allegations in the CBI case and began investigating the alleged proceeds of crime arising from the transactions.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 18:27 IST