Lalu Prasad Yadav Challenges Court Ruling in IRCTC Scam Case
Lalu Prasad Yadav, the former Chief Minister of Bihar, has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging a lower court's ruling that charged him with corruption and criminal conspiracy in the IRCTC scam. His family members, including his wife and son, are also implicated in serious allegations. The case, linked to a CBI investigation, highlights alleged misconduct during Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister. The court's findings suggest significant financial losses to the government treasury due to these actions. The upcoming hearing is set to address these critical issues.
Jan 3, 2026, 19:47 IST
Lalu Prasad Yadav Files Petition Against Lower Court's Ruling
Former Chief Minister of Bihar and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Lalu Prasad Yadav, has approached the Delhi High Court to contest the lower court's decision that established charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy against him in the alleged IRCTC scam. The hearing for this petition is scheduled for Monday before Justice Swarn Kant Sharma. In October 2025, the lower court had framed charges against Yadav concerning irregularities in the tender allocation by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.
Family Members Also Face Serious Charges
Yadav's wife, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, are also facing multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy and fraud. While framing the charges, Special Judge Vishal Gogna of the Rouse Avenue Court noted that during his tenure as Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav allegedly misused his official position to manipulate eligibility criteria in the land tender process.
Court Findings and CBI Investigation
The court concluded that Yadav was fully aware of the alleged conspiracy and actively intervened in the decision-making process, leading to significant losses for the government treasury. This case is linked to an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2017 against Yadav, his family members, officials of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, and other private individuals.
Allegations of Corruption During Tenure
The CBI has accused Yadav of orchestrating a criminal conspiracy between 2004 and 2009, during his time as Railway Minister, to award tenders for IRCTC hotels in Patna and Puri to favored parties in exchange for substantial land and shares as bribes. Following the investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet against Lalu Prasad Yadav and 11 other defendants.