Fri May 30 04:20:11 UTC 2025: ## News Article: Delhi Court to Rule on Charges Against Lalu Prasad Yadav in IRCTC Case

**New Delhi, May 30, 2025** – A Delhi court has reserved its order on whether to formally charge RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav, along with others, in a case concerning alleged irregularities within the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

Special Judge Vishal Gogne concluded arguments on May 29th and will announce the decision on July 23rd. The accused have been instructed to submit concise summaries of their arguments within one week.

The case revolves around accusations of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption, potentially carrying a maximum sentence of seven years. The CBI alleges that between 2004 and 2014, while Mr. Prasad served as Railway Minister, a conspiracy led to the transfer of BNR hotels in Puri and Ranchi to IRCTC. These hotels were then allegedly leased to Sujata Hotels Private Limited of Patna through a rigged tender process designed to favor the private company.

Mr. Prasad, Ms. Devi, and Mr. Yadav have denied the charges, arguing that the CBI lacks sufficient evidence to prosecute them. Mr. Prasad has previously questioned the validity of the sanctions obtained by the CBI. The CBI maintains it possesses ample evidence to proceed with prosecution.

The chargesheet also names former IRCTC group general managers V.K. Asthana and R.K. Goyal, along with Vijay and Vinay Kochhar, directors of Sujata Hotels and owners of Chanakya Hotel, as well as Delight Marketing Company (now Lara Projects).

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