ED files charge sheet against Lalu Prasad & Rabri Devi

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday chargesheeted former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav and 14 others in the IRCTC Hotels allotment scandal.

Others chargesheeted include Lalu’s party colleague PC Gupta, his wife Sarla Gupta, private company Lara Projects. A charge sheet has been filed against them under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before a Special Court.

Lalu is accused of misusing his official position and co-accused, IRCTC officials are accused of granting sub lease of the rights of two Railway Hotels at Puri and Ranchi to M/s Sujata Hotel private limited.


In lieu of the hotels sub-lease, 358 decimal of prime plot of land in Patna was transferred to M/s Delight Marketing Company Private Limited (a company owned by family of P C Gupta who is a close associate of Prasad and an MP from RJD) in February 2005 at a rate which was much less than the then prevailing circle rates. This is the first charge sheet filed by ED in the case.

The said company possessing valuable chunk of land gradually got transferred to Rabri Devi and her son Tejashwi by way of share purchase at nominal prices.

As per the charge sheet, the funds used to acquire the land had dubious origin and had been laundered through 151 group of companies belonging to P C Gupta by using an NBFC named M/s Abhishek Finance Company Limited.

It added, subsequently the shares of M/s Delight Marketing Company Private Limited were acquired by Rabri Devi and Tejashwi at less than fair market value.

Funds used for acquisition of shares by Rabri Devi, the charge sheet alleges, are questionable and individuals from whom Tejashwi had purchased shares denied any knowledge of holding them.

The enforcement agency has attached assets worth over `44 crore on August 12.