The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), seeking its formal response to a petition filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Tejashwi has approached the high court challenging a lower court’s decision to frame criminal charges against him in connection with the alleged IRCTC corruption matter.
The bench, headed by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, has fixed the next hearing for January 14, when it will also consider a similar petition filed by Tejashwi’s father, former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. The high court’s directive requires the CBI to file its reply before that date.
The case dates back to a Special Judge’s October 13 order, which framed charges against Lalu Yadav, Tejashwi, their mother Rabri Devi, and 11 others. The charges relate to alleged offences including criminal conspiracy, cheating under the Indian Penal Code, and multiple offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the award of operational contracts for two IRCTC hotels to a private firm.
According to CBI’s allegations, during Lalu’s tenure as Railway Minister, contracts for hotel operations in Ranchi and Puri were allegedly awarded through a manipulated tender process. In return, it is claimed that prime land and other benefits were transferred to entities linked to the Yadav family at undervalued rates.
Tejashwi’s legal team, led by senior counsel, argues that the trial court’s order lacks sufficient basis and that the evidence does not warrant framing charges. The high court’s decision to hear the matter only after the CBI files its response underscores the judiciary’s intent to allow both sides to fully present their positions before making any interim decisions on the stay application.
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