New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav, pleaded not guilty to corruption charges in the IRCTC case before a Delhi court on Monday. The court framed charges against them, paving the way for a full trial in a case that has been ongoing since 2017.

The case revolves around allegations of corruption and irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the maintenance of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels in Ranchi and Puri during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleges that Sujata Hotels, a private firm owned by Vijay and Vinay Kochar, received the contracts through a manipulated tender process. In return, the CBI claims that land worth crores was transferred to a company allegedly linked to Lalu Yadav's family at a significantly undervalued price.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts framed charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating against Lalu Yadav. Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav face charges of conspiracy and cheating. The court stated that Lalu Yadav "engaged in conspiracy and abused your position".

Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav were present in court and denied the charges. They asserted their innocence and affirmed that they would face the trial. The Yadav family has consistently questioned the investigation, maintaining that the case is politically motivated and lacks evidence.

The CBI initiated the case in July 2017, filing an FIR and conducting raids at multiple locations linked to Lalu Yadav and his family. The agency alleges that Lalu Yadav and his family accepted prime land as a bribe for awarding the IRCTC contracts. According to the CBI, two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri were leased to Sujata Hotels through a rigged tender process. In return, land was allegedly transferred to a company connected to Lalu's family.

The framing of charges marks a crucial step in the legal proceedings, allowing the trial to commence. The court had previously directed all 14 accused individuals to be physically present for the hearing. With the accused pleading not guilty, the case will now proceed to trial, where both the prosecution and defense will present their evidence and arguments.