The Delhi High Court has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to place its response on record regarding a petition filed by former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, who has challenged the trial court’s decision to frame charges against her in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case. The court issued notice to the investigating agency and sought its stand on her plea, observing that the matter requires detailed consideration.
In her petition, Rabri Devi has contended that the trial court passed the order framing charges without properly appreciating the facts and material on record. She has argued that there is no direct or indirect evidence to establish her involvement in the alleged conspiracy or in the irregularities related to the awarding of contracts for the maintenance and operation of IRCTC hotels. She has further maintained that she neither participated in any policy decision nor played any role in the tendering or allotment process.
The case pertains to the alleged corruption in the awarding of contracts for two IRCTC hotels located in Ranchi and Puri during the period when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Union Railway Minister. The CBI has accused several people, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, their son Tejashwi Yadav, and others, of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption. According to the agency, the contracts were allegedly manipulated in exchange for benefits to the family.
Earlier, a trial court had found that there was sufficient material to proceed against the accused and had ordered the framing of charges. Challenging this, Rabri Devi has approached the High Court seeking to have the order set aside, claiming that the prosecution’s case is based on assumptions and lacks solid proof.
The High Court has now listed the matter for further hearing after the CBI files its response. The court is also hearing similar petitions filed by other accused persons in the case. The outcome of these proceedings will determine whether the trial will proceed against the accused or whether the charges will be reconsidered.
The court noted that the issues raised in the petition require careful judicial scrutiny, especially since the matter involves serious allegations and high-profile individuals. It clarified that at this stage, it is only examining whether the charges have been framed in accordance with law and whether there is sufficient material on record to justify putting the accused on trial.
Meanwhile, the CBI has maintained that the investigation has revealed a clear pattern of misuse of official position and favoritism in the allotment of the IRCTC hotel contracts. The agency is expected to strongly oppose the plea and defend the trial court’s order framing charges against the accused.
The High Court’s decision on these petitions is likely to be significant, as it will decide whether the trial will move forward as planned or whether the charges will be reconsidered or set aside. The case continues to remain one of the most politically sensitive corruption matters linked to the previous UPA-era railway administration, and its progress is being closely watched in both legal and political circles.
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