A Delhi court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file its response after former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife, Rabri Devi, moved an application seeking four weeks’ time to prepare for the examination and cross-examination of prosecution witnesses in the ongoing IRCTC scam case.
The plea by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and his wife comes shortly after the court framed charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption against them and other accused persons under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Background of the Case
The IRCTC scam case pertains to alleged irregularities in the 2006 allotment of contracts for the maintenance and operation of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels — one in Ranchi and another in Puri— to a private company during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as Union Railway Minister (2004–2009).
According to the CBI’s chargesheet, Lalu Prasad allegedly accepted land and other favours through his family members in exchange for granting operational rights to a private firm. The probe agency claims that Lara Projects LLP, a company owned by Lalu’s family, received prime property in Patna as quid pro quo for the hotel contracts.
The accused in the case include Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, their son Tejashwi Yadav, and several private individuals and companies, including M/S Lara Projects LLP.
Court Proceedings on Monday
Special Judge Vishal Gogne, who is presiding over the case, noted that the matter had reached the stage of prosecution evidence after the framing of charges. The court had earlier scheduled the examination of witnesses to begin on a day-to-day basis from October 27 to November 7.
However, during Monday’s hearing, counsel for Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and Lara Projects submitted a joint application seeking a four-week adjournment. The plea requested more time to examine the witnesses who have been summoned within the current block of dates and also proposed that, going forward, the matter be listed only once a week rather than daily.
Judge Gogne recorded the submissions, stating,
“The applicants have sought four weeks’ time in order to examine the witnesses who have been summoned in the present block of dates. It is also prayed that the matter may thereafter be listed only once a week.”
Reasons for Seeking Time
The defence lawyers argued that the interval between the framing of charges and the start of witness examinationwas too short, leaving them with insufficient time to prepare for cross-examination. They also stated that they needed to study the detailed order on charge to effectively question the prosecution’s witnesses.
The judge summarized their contention, noting that the counsels for the accused required adequate time to review the order, study the case materials, and prepare their line of questioning. He added:
“It has been further submitted that the order on charge is itself required to be studied in detail for a more effective cross-examination.”
Several other accused persons in the case also filed similar applications seeking adjournment on similar grounds.
CBI’s Objection
The CBI opposed the pleas, urging the court to proceed with the scheduled witness examinations without further delay. The prosecution argued that witnesses, including some summoned from outside Delhi, were already present and should be examined to avoid further postponement of the trial.
Taking note of the CBI’s objection, Judge Gogne directed that copies of the applications be provided to the CBI and allowed the agency to file its written reply.
The judge said,
“The court deems it appropriate that a copy of these applications be provided to the CBI, which is at liberty to file a reply.”
He also directed that, since some witnesses had travelled from outside Delhi to attend the proceedings, the court would make an effort to record their examination-in-chief on the same day.
“For the present, the court deems it fit that since witnesses from out of Delhi are present today, an effort be made to examine them in chief,” the order stated.
The proceedings will continue on Tuesday, when the court is expected to review the CBI’s response and decide whether to grant additional time to the defence.
Political Backdrop and Implications
The timing of the plea has drawn attention due to its coincidence with the ongoing election campaign in Bihar, where voting is scheduled for November 6 and 11. Lalu Prasad Yadav, despite being barred from contesting elections due to earlier convictions in the fodder scam cases, remains the central figure in the RJD’s campaign, with his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi leading public rallies.
Political observers note that the CBI’s insistence on moving forward with witness examination and the defence’s request for a delay both carry political undertones, as corruption remains a major campaign issue in the state. The ruling NDA alliance has repeatedly cited Lalu’s past convictions in the fodder scam and ongoing corruption trials to attack the opposition RJD’s credibility.
The RJD, in turn, has accused the central government of using investigative agencies such as the CBI to target opposition leaders ahead of elections — a claim that Lalu and his family have made in earlier corruption cases as well.
Next Steps
The court’s next sitting will determine whether to grant the four-week extension sought by the accused or to proceed with the ongoing examination schedule. If the court allows the adjournment, witness examination could resume after the Bihar elections in late November or early December.
The IRCTC scam case is among several long-pending corruption cases involving Lalu Prasad Yadav. Although he has already been convicted in multiple fodder scam cases and served jail time, he remains on bail in most of them.
The present case — involving the alleged misuse of his position as Railway Minister — is considered a key test of the prosecution’s claims of quid pro quo, and its outcome could significantly influence Lalu’s political and legal future.
As the proceedings resume on Tuesday, all eyes will be on whether the court allows the defence the time it has requested — a decision that could either delay or accelerate one of the most closely watched corruption trials involving a former Union minister and his family.
Leave a Reply