The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court on Friday issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi’s applications seeking transfer of three cases — the CBI and ED matters in the Land-for-Jobs case and the ED case linked to the IRCTC hotel tender (LARA project).
Principal District and Sessions Judge Dinesh Bhat sought responses from both agencies and listed all three pleas for hearing on December 6. Advocate Varun Kumar appeared on behalf of Rabri Devi.
Rabri Devi, her husband and former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, and their son Tejashwi Yadav are facing trial in the IRCTC CBI case, which is currently in the stage of prosecution evidence. She has sought the transfer of the cases, alleging bias and unfairness by the court presently hearing them.
Earlier court observations
On November 26, the Rouse Avenue court had already issued notice on a similar transfer application filed by Rabri Devi in the IRCTC hotels corruption (CBI) case, also listing it for December 6.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in awarding tenders for two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister, in exchange for which the CBI alleges that he received three acres of land through a benami company.
Arguments presented
During previous hearings, Senior Advocate DP Singh, representing the CBI, pointed out that ED had not been made a party in the petition, yet the applicant was seeking transfer of ED-related matters as well.
The court asked the defence whether they intended transfer in all four related cases, to which Senior Advocate Maninder Singh responded that separate petitions would be filed for the ED and Land-for-Jobs cases.
Rabri Devi’s counsel reiterated claims of clear bias by the trial court, adding that the IRCTC case is being conducted on a day-to-day basis, and a request to halt this continuous trial had already been rejected by Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne.
Charges framed earlier
On October 13, the court framed charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and 11 others in the IRCTC hotel case. All accused pleaded not guilty and stated they would face trial.
The case concerns alleged corruption in awarding maintenance contracts for the BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri IRCTC hotels between 2004 and 2009, when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as Railway Minister.
The CBI claims the contract was awarded to Sujata Hotel, owned by Vijay and Vinay Kochar, in exchange for the transfer of prime land.
Background of the investigation
The CBI registered an FIR in July 2017 and filed a chargesheet in April 2018 after conducting searches at locations linked to the Yadav family.
Charges invoked include IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating), along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s defence has argued that no irregularities occurred in the tendering process and that there is insufficient evidence to frame charges, asserting he deserves to be discharged.
The court will now take up all transfer-related applications on December 6.
