Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi Charged in IRCTC Scam Ahead of Bihar Elections

In a major blow to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, a Delhi court has framed charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and son Tejashwi Yadav in the high-profile IRCTC hotel tender scam.

The court, while framing charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating, stated that the trio “engaged in conspiracy and abused their position” during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. The case, investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleges manipulation of tenders for two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri, which were eventually awarded to Sujata Hotels under suspicious circumstances.

According to CBI findings, the Yadav family allegedly received prime land through a benami company at a fraction of the market price in exchange for facilitating the hotel deals. This development has cast a shadow over the RJD’s electoral prospects, coming just weeks before Bihar voters head to the polls.

The accused have pleaded not guilty and will now face trial. Legal experts indicate that the framing of charges is a critical step in fast-tracking proceedings, though the final verdict could take months. Analysts believe this case could impact voter sentiment, especially in constituencies where the RJD has historically enjoyed strong support.

Political observers note that the timing of the charges is significant, as opposition parties are likely to use this as a campaign issue, highlighting alleged corruption during Lalu Yadav’s tenure. Meanwhile, RJD leaders have maintained that the case is politically motivated, emphasizing that the family intends to contest the elections vigorously despite ongoing legal challenges.

This case adds to a string of high-profile corruption allegations against political figures in India, reinforcing public debate about accountability and governance. The IRCTC scam, involving hospitality and railway assets, is particularly sensitive due to its national reach and the large-scale financial implications of the alleged misconduct.

As Bihar prepares for elections, the political narrative is expected to intensify, with voters watching closely how legal developments influence both RJD leadership credibility and electoral strategy.