RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav (Photo Credit: X)

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice on a plea filed by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in the IRCTC hotel scam case. Lalu Prasad Yadav has challenged the trial court’s decision to frame charges against him in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case.

The High Court has not granted any stay on the order framing charges in the case. It has directed the CBI to file its reply to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s plea. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for 14 January.

In October 2025, a Delhi court framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and others in the IRCTC hotel scam case. The case relates to alleged corruption in the awarding of maintenance contracts for two IRCTC hotels – BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri.

Allegations by the CBI

The CBI has alleged that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, tenders were manipulated to favour Sujata Hotels, owned by Vijay and Vinay Kochhar. In return, land in Patna was allegedly transferred at undervalued rates to a firm linked to the Yadav family.

The charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

All the accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lalu Prasad Yadav’s challenge to the framing of charges is currently before the Delhi High Court, with further proceedings to continue after the CBI files its response.