Just before the Bihar Assembly elections, a big problem has arisen for RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. The court of Special Judge, Rouse Avenue, Delhi, on Monday framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav under sections 420 (fraud), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act) in the IRCTC Hotel corruption case. Congress has also reacted to the court’s decision.
Congress raised objection on timing
On the matter, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said, “When the nomination process is going on in Bihar and Tejashwi Yadav is the leader of the main opposition party, this action seems suspicious at such a time. We have objection to its timing.” The court said that this scam happened with the knowledge of Lalu Prasad Yadav. His family members were given land at low prices. Rejecting the arguments of the accused, the court said that there is a strong chain of evidence in this entire case and the main conspirator of this scam is Lalu Yadav himself.
Decision may affect Bihar elections
Earlier, the court had ordered the appearance of other accused including former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. All three reached Delhi on Sunday and appeared in the court on Monday.
This decision of the court can have a big political impact on the Bihar assembly elections. Now it has been decided that a case will be filed against Lalu Yadav family. This case is related to corruption in the allotment of contracts for maintenance of IRCTC hotels during the tenure of Lalu Prasad Yadav as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009.
What are the allegations?
Serious allegations have been made against the Lalu Yadav family and 14 other people that they had given the maintenance contracts of IRCTC hotels in exchange for three acres of valuable land received from an anonymous company linked to Lalu Yadav. This alleged deal took place when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister.
CBI had registered an FIR in this case on July 7, 2017 and after this raided 12 locations located in Patna, New Delhi, Ranchi and Gurugram related to Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family. The investigating agency claims that there is enough evidence to frame charges against all the accused.
At the same time, the lawyer appearing on behalf of Lalu Prasad Yadav argued in the court that there is no legal basis to continue the case against him and this case is motivated by political vendetta.
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