The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding a petition filed by former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, challenging the trial court’s decision to frame charges against him in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case. Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma’s bench has sought the CBI’s response and scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 14.

This comes a day after the High Court issued a similar notice to the CBI on a plea by former Railway Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is also contesting the framing of charges in the same case. On Monday, while the Court accepted Lalu Prasad Yadav’s plea, it did not grant any immediate relief or stay the trial court proceedings, stating that the issue of interim protection would be considered separately. Justice Sharma remarked, “Let them file a reply. I will hear you on the point of stay,” while listing the stay application for January 14. Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Maninder Singh, assisted by Ekta Vats, Varun Jain, and Navin Kumar, represented Lalu Prasad Yadav, seeking a stay on the trial proceedings. The CBI was represented by Additional Solicitor General D P Singh, assisted by Advocate Manu Mishra.

Lalu Prasad Yadav is challenging the October 2025 order of the Rouse Avenue Court, which framed charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy against him for alleged irregularities in awarding IRCTC tenders. The trial court, presided over by Special Judge Vishal Gogne, held that during his tenure as Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav allegedly manipulated eligibility criteria in land tenders, was aware of the conspiracy, and actively influenced decisions, resulting in undue gain to private parties and losses to the public exchequer. Charges have also been framed against his wife, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav, the current Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Assembly, for criminal conspiracy and cheating.

The case originates from a 2017 CBI FIR alleging that between 2004 and 2009, during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister, contracts for IRCTC hotels in Patna and Puri were awarded to preferred parties in exchange for illegal benefits, including prime land and shares. Following investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet against the Yadav family, IRCTC officials, and other private individuals. The Delhi High Court will hear both pleas, including interim relief applications, on January 14.