Rouse Avenue Court has framed charges against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and others in the case registered by CBI related to IRCTC. According to the investigation conducted by CBI, it is alleged that while being the Railway Minister, Lalu Yadav misused his position and took personal benefits in exchange for government benefits.
While framing charges in the case, Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogane in Rouse Avenue Court told former Railway Minister Lalu Yadav that you hatched a conspiracy, you misused your position as a public servant. Along with this, there was interference in the tender processing and the conditions for getting the tender were manipulated.
Conspiracy to buy land at low price
The court told Lalu Yadav that you conspired to purchase pieces of land from Kochhar at low prices and later conspired with other accused to transfer effective control over these lands to Rabri and Tejashwi.
The court framed charges under these sections
Rouse Avenue Court, after hearing the charge sheet filed by CBI and the arguments of all the parties, registered a case against the main accused and the then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav under section 120-B IPC criminal conspiracy, section 420 IPC fraud and misappropriation of property, section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act) for personal gain by misusing public office.
Whereas former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi has been booked under Section 120-B IPC (participant in conspiracy), Section 420 IPC (cheating), Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) PC Act (accused of taking advantage of Lalu Yadav) and against former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Section 120-B IPC, Section 420 IPC, Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d)PC Charges have been framed against others including Act (allegation of taking part in land transactions by taking shares of the company).
What is the whole matter?
This matter pertains to the time when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister during the year 2004-2009. According to the investigation conducted by the CBI in the case, it is alleged that he committed corruption in the allotment of contracts for maintenance and improvement of two hotels of IRCTC, Ranchi KenBNR Hotel and Orissa’s Puri Hotel under the Railway Ministry.
The company benefited Lalu family
Former Railway Minister Lalu Yadav improperly awarded these contracts to Sujata Hotels Private Limited, a company owned by his wife Rabri Devi. In return, the company benefited Lalu’s family. There are allegations of lack of transparency and biased allocation in these contracts.
The contracts include former Group General Manager of IRCTC V.K. Asthana, R.K. Vijay Kochhar and Vinay Kochhar, who were directors of Goyal and Sujata Hotels, are also accused. CBI claims that this was a well-planned conspiracy, in which government position was misused. There are total 14 accused in the case.
Court will hear daily from 27 October to 7 November
In the case related to IRCTC, Rouse Avenue Court has given an important order to hold daily hearing for the trial of the case. The court has said in its order that this case will be heard daily from October 27 to November 7. CBI will record the statements of its witnesses during the trial in the court. Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogane has made it clear that now the hearing will be held on day-to-day basis, so that the trial can be expedited.
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