New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday informed a city court that that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute former railway minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife, son, and others in a corruption case linked to the irregularities in Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
Court began hearing arguments on charge in the case
The central agency made the submissions before special judge Vishal Gogne, who began hearing arguments on charge in the case against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, his son and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, and others.
“Part submissions have been heard on the aspect of charge on behalf of the CBI. Put up for further submissions on behalf of the CBI on… March 1, 2024,” the court said.
Court also directed CBI to produce the list of documents in the case
The court also directed the CBI to produce the list of documents in the case following a plea moved by senior advocate Maninder Singh, who represented the three accused persons, who are out on bail in the case, news agency PTI reported.
The charges in the case, which stems from the alleged irregularities in the grant of operational contracts of two IRCTC hotels to a private firm, include criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption.
What has the CBI alleged?
The chargesheet filed by the CBI has alleged that pursuance to a conspiracy hatched between 2004 and 2014, BNR hotels of the Indian Railways, which are located in Puri and Ranchi, were first transferred to IRCTC and later they were given on lease to Sujata Hotels Private Limited, which is based in Patna, Bihar, for its operations, maintenance and upkeep. It has been further alleged that the tender process was rigged and manipulated and the conditions were tweaked in order to help the Sujata Hotels, a private party.