Delhi HC Issues Notice to Tejashwi Yadav Over IRCTC Charges, Next Hearing on Jan 14

Image Source: Internet

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, challenging the trial court's decision to frame charges against him in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels case. Tejashwi's petition, filed through senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Maninder Singh, argues that he had no involvement in the alleged irregularities and that the CBI has no evidence to prove his involvement in the conspiracy. The case centers around the leasing of two IRCTC hotels to a private company, Sujata Hotels, during Lalu Prasad's tenure as Union railway minister. The CBI alleges that the tender process was rigged to favor the Kochhars' firm in exchange for land and company shares transferred to Lalu Prasad's family at undervalued prices. The Enforcement Directorate has also filed a money laundering case against Lalu Prasad, his wife, and their children. The trial court framed charges of corruption, conspiracy, and cheating against Lalu, his wife Rabri Devi, and their children, including Tejashwi Yadav, in October. The high court has asked the CBI to file its response to Tejashwi's petition by January 13, with the next hearing scheduled for January 14. The high court had earlier refused to stay trial court proceedings against Lalu Yadav, stating that the petition was filed too late. The IRCTC hotels case is one of several cases against Lalu Prasad and his family, who are accused of irregularities in the leasing of railway hotels to private companies during their tenure in power. The case has been investigated by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, and several chargesheets have been filed against the family members. The case is set to continue in the high court, with the next hearing scheduled for January 14.