IRCTC Scam: Delhi Court Rejects Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi’s Plea Against Day-to-Day Trial
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the allotment of contracts for the maintenance of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels in Ranchi and Puri during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as Union Railway Minister
A Delhi Court has dismissed a plea filed by former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and M/s Lara Projects Pvt Ltd seeking to halt the day-to-day trial in the IRCTC scam case.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court who had earlier framed charges against the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and others for offences of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption, ruled that the conduct and scheduling of the trial are solely within the court’s prerogative.
“The court reserves the right to list matters on a daily basis, in bulk dates or in any other order,” Judge Gogne observed while rejecting the application.
The Court had earlier posted the case for prosecution evidence, beginning with the examination of formal witnesses from October 27 to November 7. The cross-examination of witnesses was later deferred to November 17 following a request by some of the accused.
Emphasizing judicial control over the trial process, Judge Gogne said, “Listing of a matter in trial on any particular date or order of dates is part of the essential function of a trial court. While the convenience of counsels is always considered, the prerogative of the court cannot be bound by the parties’ requests.”
He noted that both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court have directed trial courts to expedite proceedings, avoid adjournments, and record evidence on a day-to-day basis once the trial begins.
“The Court is therefore disinclined to restrict its discretion by introducing a negative direction, such as not listing the matter before one week after each hearing,” the order stated.
Previously, on October 27, the Court had sought a response from the CBI.
Notably, in July the Court deferred its order till August 5 on whether to frame charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his The Court had reserved its order on May 29 after hearing detailed arguments on charge. "In continuation of the previous bulk listing of the present matter from 28.02.2025 to 07.03.2025; 22.03.2025 to 29.03.2025, 21.04.2025 to 26.04.2025 and from 07.05.2025 to 21.05.2025, the matter is again listed today," the Court had noted on May 29.
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).
Case Title: CBI Vs. Lalu Prasad Yadav & Ors.
Order Date: November 11, 2025
Bench: Special Judge Vishal Gogne