The Delhi High Court refuses to stay trial against Lalu Prasad Yadav in IRCTC scam case, giving a major setback to the RJD chief. The court declined his request to pause the trial and instead asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file its response.
Lalu Prasad Yadav moved the High Court after a trial court framed charges against him in October last year. The case relates to alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for IRCTC hotels when he served as the Union railway minister.
During the hearing, the High Court said it could not stop the trial without hearing the investigating agency. The judge issued a notice to the CBI and fixed the next hearing for January 14.
The charges also name Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and other accused. The CBI claims that the contracts were awarded in return for benefits to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family members.
Lalu’s lawyers argued that the trial court order was legally flawed. However, the High Court made it clear that the trial will continue until it reviews the CBI’s reply.
The case remains one of the most high-profile corruption matters involving the former Bihar chief minister.
