IRCTC scam case: Delhi HC asks CBI to reply on Lalu Yadav’s plea against charge framing, refuses trial stay

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation on a plea filed by RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav challenging the order framing charges against him in the alleged IRCTC scam case.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma declined to stay the trial at this stage, observing that such relief could not be granted without examining the investigating agency’s reply. The court issued notice to the CBI on Yadav’s petition and accompanying stay application.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 14. Lalu Prasad Yadav, a former Union railway minister, has approached the high court questioning the legality of the trial court’s charge-framing order.

Earlier, on October 13, 2025, the trial court framed charges against Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and 11 others. The charges include cheating, criminal conspiracy under the IPC, and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The trial court had remarked that the land and share transactions involved were possibly an instance of “crony capitalism” under the guise of private participation in railway hotels at Ranchi and Puri. The maximum punishment under the PC Act is 10 years, while cheating carries up to seven years.