New Delhi, A Delhi court on Friday adjourned the formal framing of money laundering charges against former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and others in the Enforcement Directorate’s case regarding the alleged IRCTC hotel scam to November 19.
The judge, however, made it clear that all accused persons, except those exempted by any order of a superior court and against whom a stay had been granted, had to be present on the next date of hearing. Special Judge Prashant Kumar adjourned the proceedings to November 19, noting that the prosecution did not oppose the pleas seeking adjournment. Out of 16 accused arrayed by the Enforcement Directorate, the predecessor court, earlier on September 10, discharged seven and ordered framing charges against nine.
The predecessor court had already framed charges of corruption against the RJD patriarch and 11 others last October in the CBI case in the alleged scam.
The court had said there is a strong suspicion against the accused, and the nature, timing, and course of the investigation do not indicate that the complaint was motivated by a political vendetta against Lalu Prasad, as had been argued by his counsel.
