New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition filed by Rabri Devi, former Chief Minister of Bihar and wife of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, challenging the framing of charges in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam.
The petition follows a similar plea by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who had approached the High Court against a trial court order directing the framing of criminal charges against him and other family members in the case. Rabri Devi’s petition specifically challenges the trial court’s order in this regard.
HC Seeks CBI Response
During the brief hearing, a single-judge bench led by Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma directed the CBI to file a response. Notices were also issued regarding Tejashwi Yadav’s criminal revision petition, which seeks a stay on the trial court proceedings.
Tejashwi’s petition had challenged an order passed by the Rouse Avenue Court, which found sufficient grounds to proceed against him and other accused, including corruption, criminal conspiracy, and fraud charges in connection with the IRCTC hotel scam. On 13 October 2025, Special Judge Vishal Gogne had cleared the path for trial against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and others under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, as well as provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Alleged Scam (2004–2009)
The alleged scam dates back to 2004–2009, during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister. The scam involves the leasing of two IRCTC hotels without following proper rules. One of the hotels was allotted to Sarla Gupta, the wife of Prem Gupta, a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav and a Rajya Sabha member at the time.
On 29 May, the Special Court had reserved its order on the framing of charges after hearing detailed arguments regarding Lalu Prasad, his family members, Prem Gupta, Sarla Gupta, and railway officials Rakesh Saxena and P.K. Goyal.
The High Court’s notice to the CBI is the latest development in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the high-profile IRCTC hotel scam case.
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