2 hrs ago
Delhi Court Frames Money Laundering Charges Against Lalu Family
A Delhi court has decided that a money laundering trial can proceed against Lalu Prasad Yadav and several others.
The case is connected to contracts for running two railway hotels.
Investigators say the contracts may have been given unfairly.
They also allege that valuable land was received in return through another company.
The court said there was enough material, or a strong suspicion, to continue the case.
Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family deny the allegations.
A separate corruption case about the same matter already has charges against them.
Reports disagree about whether seven or nine people were discharged from this money laundering case.
A Delhi court framed money laundering charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and others.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne found sufficient material or strong suspicion to proceed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The case concerns alleged irregularities in contracts for maintaining IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri during 2004-2009.
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that alleged contract-related proceeds were laundered and linked to prime land acquired through a benami company.
Reports differ on whether seven or nine accused were discharged; the next hearing is scheduled for October 3.
- Who
- Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and other accused persons, with the case brought by the Enforcement Directorate.
- What
- A Delhi court framed money laundering charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam.
- Where
- Rouse Avenue Courts in New Delhi, Delhi.
- When
- The order was issued on Thursday; the next hearing is scheduled for October 3.
- Why
- The Enforcement Directorate alleges that hotel contracts were irregularly awarded and that related proceeds were laundered, including through a land transaction.
Prosecution and Court
Accused and Defence
Basis for charges
Prosecution and Court
The court found sufficient material or a strong suspicion to proceed with money laundering charges, while the Enforcement Directorate alleged laundering of proceeds from irregular hotel contracts.
Accused and Defence
The accused have argued that the case was driven by political vendetta and have denied wrongdoing.
Hotel contract process
Prosecution and Court
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that contracts for operating the hotels were awarded without following prescribed norms to a company linked to associates of Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Accused and Defence
Lalu Prasad Yadav has maintained that the IRCTC hotel tenders were awarded fairly and transparently.
Land transaction
Prosecution and Court
Investigators allege that three acres of prime land were acquired through a benami company as consideration connected to the hotel contracts.
Accused and Defence
The accused dispute the allegations; the court has not yet determined guilt, and the charges will now proceed to trial.
Key facts
- Court
- Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi
- Judge
- Special Judge Vishal Gogne
- Main accused
- Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Legal provision
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act
- Underlying allegations
- Irregular award of contracts for IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri, followed by an alleged land-for-favour transaction
- Next hearing
- October 3
- Discharged accused
- Reports differ, stating either seven or nine accused were discharged
Quotes
Special Judge Vishal Gogne
Delhi court judge presiding over the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering case
“Some dubious deals are indeed cut in plain sight, with the public layer serving to camouflage rather than to pry. The court would mindfully observe that the special courts for CBI and PMLA matters, especially for MP and MLA cases, exist precisely to detect such masked and circuitous deals, which strike Faustian bargains to trade public trust and assets for personal gains.”
theprint.in
NDTV
“Nine accused are being charged; seven are discharged. It is directed that a charge be framed against the accused under section 3 (offence of money laundering) read with section 4 (punishment for money laundering) of the PMLA.”
theprint.in
NDTV
Sources
IRCTC hotels money laundering case: Delhi court orders framing of charges against Lalu, 8 others
Court Orders Charges Against Lalu Yadav, Wife And Son In Railway Hotel Scam
Delhi Court Orders PMLA Charges Against Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi
Delhi court frames charges against Lalu Yadav, family in IRCTC money laundering case
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