New Delhi, 16 January (H.S.): The Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday regarding former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi's petition challenging the trial court's order framing charges in the railway tender scam case.

The bench acted on Rabri Devi's plea contesting Rouse Avenue Court's October 13 directive to frame charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav under Sections 420, 120B of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act—orders similarly contested by Lalu and Tejashwi's separate petitions, already eliciting CBI notices.

Trial court arguments saw Lalu's counsel Maninder Singh contesting prosecutorial sanction validity, highlighting CBI's flip-flop: initially deeming no sanction necessary against Lalu, later claiming approval. CBI countered with robust evidence; the court granted regular bail—₹1 lakh personal bonds each—in ED's January 28, 2019 case, and Lalu in CBI's January 19 case, post-cognizance of ED's September 17, 2018 chargesheet naming 16 accused including Lara Projects LLP, Sarla Gupta, and Kochar brothers' Sujata Hotels.

Allegations centre on Lalu, as Railway Minister, transferring Ranchi and Puri IRCTC hotels via tenders to Kochar firms, epitomizing the scam's corrupt nexus.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar