Delhi High Court Issues Notice on Lalu Prasad’s Plea in IRCTC Hotel Scam Case
New Delhi, Jan 5 – 6, 2026:
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition filed by former Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav challenging the framing of charges against him in the IRCTC hotel scam case. Live Law Hindi+1
What the High Court Did
- Notice to CBI: The court asked the CBI to file a formal response to Lalu Prasad’s petition, which disputes the lower trial court’s October 13, 2025 order that framed charges against him. The New Indian Express
- Next Hearing Date: The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 14, 2026. Hindustan Times
- No Immediate Relief: At this stage, the High Court refused to stay trial court proceedings and declined to halt the ongoing trial against Lalu and other co-accused, noting that the petition was filed after the charges had already been framed. The Times of India+1
Background of the Case
The CBI had earlier framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, his son Tejashwi Yadav, and several others in connection with alleged IRCTC hotel irregularities. The prosecution contends that during his tenure as Railway Minister, operational contracts for two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels were awarded improperly, and that there were violations of anti-corruption and criminal conspiracy laws. The New Indian Express
The trial court’s October 13 order framed charges under Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including criminal conspiracy, cheating, and under the *Prevention of Corruption Act. The New Indian Express
What This Development Means
Lalu’s plea to the High Court is a legal challenge against the legitimacy of the charges framed, arguing procedural or substantive errors in how the trial court reached its order. By issuing notice to the CBI, the High Court has agreed to scrutinise those objections before proceeding further. The New Indian Express
However, trial proceedings are continuing and have not been stayed, signaling that the court is balancing the right to a fair process with the ongoing investigative and prosecutorial timeline. The Times of India
Related Proceedings
In a parallel development, the court has also sought a CBI response to a similar plea by Tejashwi Yadav, who is challenging the framing of charges against himself, with both matters set to be heard together on January 14. The New Indian Express