Delhi court defers charge framing order against Lalu Yadav in IRCTC money laundering case to May 22
Synopsis
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has again deferred its order on framing money laundering charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family in the IRCTC hotel scam — now to 22 May. With parallel proceedings at the Delhi High Court and charges already framed in the corruption case, the legal net around one of India's most prominent opposition figures is tightening on multiple fronts.
Key Takeaways
Rouse Avenue Court deferred its order on framing money laundering charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and family to 22 May .
The ED case is linked to the IRCTC hotel scam , alleging irregularities in contract awards during Yadav's tenure as Union Railway Minister (2004–2009) .
Accused include Lalu Prasad Yadav , Rabri Devi , Tejashwi Yadav , Tej Pratap Yadav , Misa Bharti , and Hema Yadav .
Prosecution alleges three acres of prime land were acquired via a benami company as alleged quid pro quo.
The Delhi High Court is separately hearing revision petitions by Lalu, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi challenging charge framing in the related corruption case.
Charges for cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption were already framed by the same court in October last year .
A Delhi court on Wednesday, 6 May deferred till 22 May its decision on framing charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members, and others accused in the alleged money laundering case linked to the IRCTC hotel scam, which is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Rouse Avenue Court, which had originally been scheduled to deliver the order on Tuesday, pushed the pronouncement by over two weeks.
Background: The IRCTC Hotel Scam
The ED case stems from alleged laundering of proceeds of crime arising out of the IRCTC hotel scam first registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to the prosecution, irregularities were allegedly committed in the awarding of contracts for the operation and maintenance of IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009.
The agency has alleged that hotel maintenance contracts were awarded without following prescribed norms to a private company reportedly linked to close associates of the RJD supremo. In return, according to investigators, three acres of prime land were allegedly acquired through a benami company purportedly linked to Yadav's family members and associates.
Who Is Accused
The accused in the ED's money laundering case include Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, besides several others. The Special Judge had earlier reserved the order on framing of charges after hearing detailed arguments from counsel for the accused and the ED.
Parallel Proceedings at Delhi High Court
The legal battle is unfolding on multiple fronts. The Delhi High Court is currently hearing criminal revision petitions filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav, challenging a trial court order directing the framing of charges against them in the corruption case linked to the same alleged scam.
Notably, in October last year, the Rouse Avenue Court had already framed charges against the accused for offences related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act, after all accused pleaded not guilty.
Lalu Yadav's Stand
Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that tenders for the IRCTC hotels were awarded in a fair and transparent manner. His legal team has challenged the prosecution's case at multiple judicial levels, reflecting the complexity and political sensitivity of the proceedings.
The next date of hearing in the money laundering charge framing matter is 22 May, when the court is expected to deliver its long-awaited order.
Point of View
The timing of each court date carries weight beyond the courtroom. The real question is whether the judicial process will reach a decisive stage before the next electoral cycle redraws political calculations.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Delhi court deferred the order on framing charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav?
The Rouse Avenue Court deferred its order on framing money laundering charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and co-accused to 22 May, without specifying the reason for the delay. The court had originally been scheduled to deliver the order on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
What is the IRCTC hotel scam linked to the ED case against Lalu Yadav?
The IRCTC hotel scam involves alleged irregularities in awarding hotel maintenance contracts during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. The ED alleges that contracts were given to a private company linked to Yadav's associates, and in return, three acres of prime land were allegedly acquired through a benami company linked to his family.
Who are the accused in the ED money laundering case?
The accused include RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, and several others.
What is the status of the corruption case against Lalu Yadav in the same scam?
In October last year, the Rouse Avenue Court had already framed charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption under the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act against the accused. Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav have since challenged that order at the Delhi High Court through criminal revision petitions.
What has Lalu Prasad Yadav said about the allegations?
Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that the IRCTC hotel tenders were awarded in a fair and transparent manner. His legal team has contested the prosecution's case at multiple levels of the judiciary.
