Patna: A Delhi court on Thursday framed charges against nine accused, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, in the money laundering case linked to the alleged IRCTC hotel scam.Special judge Vishal Gogne of Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court framed charges under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Charges were also framed against M/s Lara Projects, Sarla Gupta and Prem Chand Gupta, among others. The court, however, acquitted seven of the 16 accused named in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet, observing the money laundering allegations against them were doubtful and raising questions over the nature, timing and manner of the investigation.The next hearing is scheduled for Oct 3.The case stems from alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for operating two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri when Lalu was railway minister in the UPA govt (2004-09). The CBI is probing alleged criminal conspiracy and corruption, while the ED is investigating alleged laundering of proceeds of crime.According to the prosecution, railway officials allegedly manipulated the tender process under Lalu’s supervision and awarded the contract for maintaining the two hotels to a private company. In return, the Lalu family allegedly received a prime plot of land in Patna.The court observed Rabri Devi and Tejashwi were allegedly beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime and misuse of official position. It referred to a plot of land in Patna allegedly transferred to them at Lalu’s behest while he was railway minister.The CBI FIR alleged the land was acquired through a benami company associated with Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta.Earlier, on Oct 13, 2025, a CBI Special Court had framed charges against Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi and others for alleged cheating, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The accused have denied the allegations with their lawyers contending the proceedings are politically motivated.
