Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi urge Delhi court to reconsider day-to-day trial in IRCTC scam case
RJD leaders seek time to review voluminous chargesheet, cite multiple pending cases and election campaigns
Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi have filed an application before the Rouse Avenue Courts in Delhi requesting that the court not insist on a day-to-day trial in the IRCTC scam matter in which they, along with several others including their son Tejashwi Yadav, face criminal charges. The plea was heard by Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne, who had previously framed the charges and ordered expedited, daily hearings starting October 27.
Appearing for the Yadavs, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh highlighted that the accused are facing four simultaneous criminal proceedings, all of which require close attention by the same set of lawyers. He said more time is needed to properly review the extensive 18,000-page chargesheet and related court orders, especially amid ongoing election campaigns.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the request, referring to Supreme Court guidelines mandating swift trials for politicians and legislators. The judge asked the defense to provide a formal copy of their application for the agency’s response, while the chief examination of a prosecution witness proceeded, to be followed by cross-examination later. The core allegation in the case is that Lalu Yadav accepted valuable property as a bribe for awarding railway contracts during his tenure as Union Railway Minister, which the family denies, alleging political motivation behind the case.