New Delhi: The troubles for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, have deepened once again. On Monday, a special CBI court at Rouse Avenue in Delhi formally framed charges against all three in the IRCTC scam and the land-for-jobs case.
The court observed that deliberate alterations were made to the tender process, making the scam possible. Special Judge Vishal Gogne held that Lalu Prasad Yadav had abused his position as Union Railway Minister, and that the tender process had been modified with his knowledge and approval. In exchange, land deals were allegedly carried out in the names of Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav.
Charges have been framed under sections relating to criminal conspiracy, abuse of official position, fraud, and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. During the proceedings, when the court asked Lalu Prasad Yadav whether he accepted the charges, he replied, “I am innocent.” Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav gave the same response. All three appeared before the court in person, with Lalu Prasad Yadav arriving in a wheelchair.
Following the framing of charges, the case will now proceed to regular hearings.
The CBI had earlier filed a chargesheet under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The investigation agency alleged that during Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister, irregularities were committed in the awarding of tenders for BNR Hotels in Ranchi and Puri, and in return, valuable land parcels in Patna were transferred in the names of his family members.
It is noteworthy that the court had reserved its order on the framing of charges on August 25.