IRCTC Scam: Rabri Devi Moves Delhi Court for Transfer of Case, Notice Issued to CBI
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has issued notice to the CBI on Rabri Devi’s request to transfer the IRCTC hotel corruption trial to another judge, with the matter now listed for hearing on December 6
Rouse Avenue Court issues notice to CBI on Rabri Devi’s plea seeking transfer of the IRCTC hotel corruption case to a different judge
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Wednesday issued notice on the transfer application filed by former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi in the IRCTC hotel corruption case.
The Principal District and Sessions Judge Dinesh Bhatt has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file its reply and listed the matter for further hearing on December 6.
Rabri Devi, along with her husband and former Union Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, their son Tejashwi Yadav and others, is facing trial in the CBI and ED cases arising out of the alleged irregularities in awarding the operational contract of two IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as Railway Minister. The matter is currently at the stage of prosecution evidence.
Rabri Devi has sought transfer of the proceedings to another judge.
During the hearing, her Senior Counsel informed the Court that a separate application will be filed seeking transfer of the Enforcement Directorate case as well.
The Court will consider the CBI’s response before taking a decision on the transfer request.
Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne had passed the order, observing that sufficient material existed to proceed against the accused. All three leaders pleaded "not guilty" to the charges.
Besides the Yadav family, the charge sheet names former IRCTC officials V K Asthana and R K Goyal; directors of Sujata Hotels, Vijay and Vinay Kochhar; and corporate entities Delight Marketing Company (now Lara Projects) and Sujata Hotels as accused.
Pertinently, in March 2023, the Delhi Court had granted bail to to former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti and others in connection with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) scam case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Hearing Date: November 26, 2025
Bench: Principal District and Sessions Judge Dinesh Bhatt