Overview

• Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi framed the charges on October 13, moving the matter from pre-trial hearings to a full trial.
• The list of accused includes Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Prem Chand Gupta, Sarla Gupta, and former railway officials Rakesh Saksena and P.K. Goyal.
• All accused pleaded not guilty as the defence argues the hotel tenders were fairly awarded and seeks discharge.
• The CBI alleges contracts for IRCTC’s BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri hotels went to Sujata Hotel in exchange for three acres of land via a benami company, along with benefits linked to Group D appointments.
• The case follows a 2017 CBI FIR and raids, and a recent Supreme Court refusal to stay related proceedings leaves the trial court process set to proceed.