A Delhi court has deferred the formal framing of charges in the IRCTC money laundering case involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and six others to October 30. Special Judge Prashant Kumar postponed the proceedings after a procedural issue arose concerning an earlier order by former special MP/MLA judge Vishal Gogne. Gogne had directed that charges be framed against nine accused before being transferred for further proceedings. His subsequent transfer to the Delhi High Court has created a procedural hurdle over the formal framing of charges.
IRCTC Money Laundering Case Court Delays Charges Against Lalu Yadav and Family to October 30
New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI): A Delhi court today deferred formal framing of charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav and six others till October 30.
A Delhi court on Wednesday deferred proceedings in the IRCTC money laundering case against RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and six others.
A special judge, Prashant Kumar, at Rouse Avenue Courts deferred formal framing of charges after a procedural issue arose out of an earlier judicial order.
The case is related to allegations of money laundering in the IRCTC land-for-hotels issue, with allegations arising from transactions concerning railroad hotel operations.
Delhi Court Faces Procedural Hurdle
The former special MP/MLA judge Vishal Gogne directed that charges be framed against nine accused, and it was expected that charges would be framed in the court.
Gogne passed the order on September 10 while hearing the proceedings related to the cases of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate involving the alleged land-for-jobs scam.
The former judge had directed that the formal charges be prepared by his court before being sent to the court on Rouse Avenue.
The understanding was to permit the accused to plead after the formal charges were drawn and transferred for further proceedings.
However, Gogne was later transferred to the Delhi High Court on September 22, and he is now posted as registrar (vigilance).
The transfer has caused a procedural problem because Kumar claimed he could not formally frame charges when Gogne's prior order had specifically assigned the job.
IRCTC Money Laundering Case Awaits Clarification
Gogne’s order on September 10 directed framing of money laundering charges against nine accused, and discharge of seven other accused from the proceedings.
Formal charges were part of the earlier order and reflected the court’s understanding of the allegations for which charges were being directed, the order said.
The procedural uncertainty that ensued has effectively put the next phase of the case on hold, with the matter now awaiting clarification as to which court should formally prepare and frame charges.
Kumar therefore directed advocate Manu Mishra, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, to get instructions as to the appropriate course of action.
The court has now fixed October 30 for further hearing when the procedural question and formal framing of charges are expected to be considered.
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What The Case Means For Lalu Yadav And Family
The accused against whom money laundering charges have been ordered to be framed include Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav.
The proceedings are a follow-up to the allegations probed by CBI and ED in connection with the larger land-for-jobs scam and related deals involving the IRCTC.
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was earlier booked in the IRCTC land-for-hotels case involving alleged abuse of office.
The allegations remain before the courts and the decision to bring charges does not, in itself, prove the guilt of any accused person.
For Sprouts News readers, the immediate development is procedural and not a new finding on the underlying allegations against Lalu Prasad Yadav and the other accused.
October 30 Hearing Could Clarify Next Steps
The October 30 hearing is expected to clear the air on how the earlier September 10 direction can be implemented after Gogne was transferred to the Delhi High Court.
Now the Enforcement Directorate has to explain its stand through Manu Mishra as the Rouse Avenue court considers the implications of the earlier judicial direction.
The next hearing could determine whether the current court will issue formal charges, or if it will be another procedural step.
Until then, proceedings are aimed at deciding the judicial process concerning formal charges rather than the final guilt or innocence of the accused.
The case thus goes into October with the substantive allegations still in the air, as the courts labour to resolve the procedural issue before further proceedings can move forward.
