Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi have moved a Delhi court seeking a postponement of the day-to-day trial in the high-profile IRCTC scam case. The application was filed before Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne at the Rouse Avenue Courts.
The couple faces charges in a case involving alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that during Lalu Yadav&rsquo;s tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, land and shares were accepted as bribes in exchange for awarding hotel leases to a private company. The prosecution claims that the transactions were executed through manipulated tenders and that property worth crores was transferred to companies linked to Rabri Devi and their son, Tejashwi Yadav, at a fraction of its market value.
On October 13, the court framed charges against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and 10 other accused. Lalu and Rabri are facing charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating, while Tejashwi and other family members are accused of cheating and conspiracy. Following this, the court ordered day-to-day hearings in the case, scheduled to begin on October 27.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Lalu and Rabri, argued that the couple needed additional time to review the 18,000-page chargesheet and the nearly 250-page order framing the charges. He also highlighted that the Yadav family has four ongoing criminal cases with similar day-to-day trial orders and that their legal team requires adequate time to prepare. Singh emphasized that the ongoing Bihar election campaign further limits their availability.
The CBI opposed the request, citing the Supreme Court&rsquo;s guidelines for expeditious trials involving Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies. Judge Gogne remarked that sessions courts have, at times, lost touch with day-to-day trials but asked the defense to provide a copy of the application to the CBI for a response.
Meanwhile, the court conducted the chief examination of a prosecution witness, with cross-examination scheduled for a later date. The Yadav family continues to maintain that the allegations are politically motivated and that there is no concrete evidence against them.
The IRCTC case remains one of the most closely watched corruption trials involving former ministers, with multiple parties awaiting the outcome as the trial unfolds.

Lalu, Rabri seek delay in IRCTC scam trial

Former Bihar CM and wife request more time to study 18,000-page chargesheet in court

Lalu, Rabri seek delay in IRCTC scam trial

Former Bihar CM and wife request more time to study 18,000-page chargesheet in court

October 27, 2025 | 20:10 IST