Yadav Family : The Delhi High Court is scheduled to take up on Tuesday a set of petitions filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav and members of his family, who have questioned a trial court decision directing that criminal charges be formally framed against them in the long-running IRCTC hotel case.

Matters Listed Before Single-Judge Bench

According to the court’s official cause list, the petitions will be heard on January 27 by a single-judge Bench led by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. The cases have been filed as criminal revision petitions, seeking judicial review of a lower court order that cleared the way for prosecution.

Petitions Filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav and Family

The revisions have been moved separately by Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav. All three have challenged the trial court’s decision to frame charges related to corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating in connection with the alleged irregularities involving hotels run by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.

Earlier Notice Issued to CBI

At an earlier stage, the High Court issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation on these petitions. The court also sought the agency’s response to applications filed by Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav requesting a stay on the ongoing proceedings before the trial court. While issuing notice, Justice Sharma directed that all related petitions be heard together to ensure consistency in adjudication.

Rabri Devi’s Objection to Framing of Charges

In her plea, Rabri Devi has argued that the trial court acted without a proper evaluation of the evidence on record. She contends that the decision to frame charges against her was based on assumptions rather than material facts, and that the order failed to establish her alleged role in the case with sufficient legal basis.

Tejashwi Yadav Questions Trial Court Order

Tejashwi Yadav has also raised concerns over the validity of the trial court’s ruling. In his petition, he has maintained that the prosecution did not present enough material to make out a prima facie case against him. He has urged the High Court to examine whether the legal threshold for framing charges was met.

Trial Court Order and Applicable Charges

The trial court order under challenge was passed on October 13, 2025, by Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts. In that order, the court directed that charges be framed against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and several other accused under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including sections dealing with cheating and criminal conspiracy, along with relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. All the accused had pleaded not guilty.

Proceedings Before the Special Court

The special court had reserved its decision earlier, on May 29, after hearing detailed submissions from both sides on whether charges should be framed. Arguments were presented concerning not only the Yadav family but also other accused individuals, including private parties and former railway officials named in the case.

Background of the IRCTC Hotel Allegations

The case relates to events between 2004 and 2009, a period during which Lalu Prasad Yadav served as Union Railway Minister. The prosecution has alleged that two IRCTC hotels were leased out during this time without adhering to prescribed procedures. One of the properties was allotted to a firm linked to Sarla Gupta, the wife of Prem Gupta, who was then considered a close associate of the RJD leader.

Defence Maintains No Irregularities

Investigators have claimed that the transactions resulted in the acquisition of three acres of prime land through a benami company. Lalu Prasad Yadav has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the tender process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner. He has sought discharge from the case, arguing that the allegations do not stand up to legal scrutiny.