IRCTC Scam: Patiala House Court Grants Regular Bail To Former Bihar CM Rabri Devi & RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav

Update at 10:26 AM: Interim bail granted to the accused present in the case against ED with 1 lakh surety and 1 lakh personal bail bond as well. Lalu Prasad to be produced via video conferencing in the ED case as well on November 19

Update at 10:26 AM: Lalu Prasad to be produced via video conferencing on November 19

Update at 10:26 AM: Court to decide whether Lalu Prasad should be produced via video conferencing or whether production warrant against him should be issued. Counsel for Lalu Yadav has informed the court that he is unwell.

Update at 10:16 AM: Patiala House Court grants bail to former Bihar CM Rabri Devi & RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav along with the other 14 accused in IRCTC scam case except Lalu Prasad Yadav

Update at 10:16 AM: Accused are of influential nature. They are likely to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses

Update at 10:08 AM: Counsel alleges that the accused enjoy a high status in the society. Says the chargesheet filed is absurd. 

Update at 10:08 AM: Rabri Devi and Tejaswi Yadav along with all other accused asked to submit their passports before the Court

Update at 10:03 AM: Grant of bail to Lalu Yadav and family will adversely affect the ongoing investigation in the case: CBI

Update at 10:03 AM: CBI opposes bail for the accused, says regular bail should not be granted

Lalu Prasad Yadav's wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and their son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav will appear before a Special court on Saturday in connection with money laundering case related to the 2006 IRCTC hotels maintenance contract. Earlier, both were granted bail by the court on personal bond and surety amount of Rs 1 lakh each. Earlier,they both were named in the chargesheet filed in the case by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). 

WHAT IS THE CASE?

The IRCTC scam case dates back to 2006 when irregularities in the allotment of contracts of two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri to a private firm involving a bribe in the form of a three-acre commercial plot at a prime location in Patna district surfaced. The ED in its chargesheet also named Prasad’s party colleague P.C. Gupta, his wife Sarla Gupta, a firm Lara Projects and 10 others as accused in (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) IRCTC scam case. All of them were booked under various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and were asked to appear before Court.

CHARGES AGAINST LALU'S FAMILY IN CONNECTION WITH IRCTC SCAM:

Lalu Prasad Yadav

• Criminal Conspiracy
• Cheating
• Dishonesty inducing delivering of property
• Criminal misconduct

Rabri Devi

• Criminal Conspiracy
• Cheating
• Dishonesty inducing delivering of property

Tejashwi Yadav

• Acquired shares at a low rate
• Favoured by Company backed by Lalu Prasad Yadav
• Received undue pecuniary benefit

Tej Pratap Yadav

• Made Director in Lalu Prasad Yadav backed company

Read: Rabri Devi Pens Stunning Letter To Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Here's Why

Meanwhile, prior to surrendering before the Jharkhand High Court, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav spoke with Republic TV over 'Mahagathbandhan', Oppositions’ choice for the PM candidate against PM Narendra Modi for the upcoming 2019 General Elections.

When the RJD supremo was asked about which all parties are on board for the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ against PM Modi, he gave a vague reply saying:

“There are several parties, which are the part of Mahagathbandhan. I, from the beginning, wanted all parties to come together,” adding “There are many parties in Bihar, who are part of the Mahagathbandhan.”

Giving a lyrical rejoinder to a question on the Central leadership, Lalu Prasad Yadav said, “Mitti mein mil jaunga, bhajpa se hath nahi milaunga (I will get reduced to nothing, but will never shake hands with the BJP)”.