Delhi Court frames PMLA charges against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi in IRCTC case

The Special Court (PC Act) in Delhi, presided over by Judge Vishal Gogne, formally framed money‑laundering charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, their son Tejashwi Yadav, and several business associates in connection with the leasing of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels. The order follows months of arguments from both the prosecution and defence and reflects the court’s assessment of a “strong suspicion of abuse of office by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.”

The charges relate to alleged misconduct during Yadav’s tenure as Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009, when the CBI’s 2017 FIR accused him of conspiring with hotel owners in Patna and Puri to manipulate tender processes. The court’s latest order builds on an earlier October 13, 2025 decision that framed corruption, conspiracy and cheating charges against the same individuals. While the primary accused face PMLA charges, the court discharged Rahul Yadav, Gaurav Gupta, Nath Mal Kankarnia, Vijay Tripathi, D.N. Tulshyan, Rajiv Relan and Abhishek Finance from the proceedings.

The case stems from CBI investigations that allege the Yadav family received high‑value land and shares as illicit consideration for steering IRCTC contracts to private parties. The Enforcement Directorate subsequently opened a PMLA probe to trace the alleged proceeds of crime. The Yadav family has denied any wrongdoing, labeling the investigation as politically driven, while the outcome could have significant ramifications for the RJD’s political standing and for broader anti‑corruption efforts in India.