IRCTC Scam: Bail for Rabri, Tejashwi; video-call hearing for Lalu
The Delhi Patiala Court, on Saturday, granted regular bail to former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, her son and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, and others who were present during the hearing in the IRCTC scam case. The court fixed November 19 as the next hearing date. Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is also an accused, will appear via video conferencing. Here's more about this.
Accused have to furnish personal bond of Rs. 1 lakh
In August, Tejashwi and Rabri were granted bail
In August this year, Tejashwi and Rabri were granted bail by a Delhi court. The court had asked all accused to furnish a personal bond and surety of Rs. 1 lakh each. Lalu, who is serving sentence after being convicted in the fodder scam, was exempted from the proceedings. However, a production warrant was issued for him for today, October 6.
Backstory: Former Railway Minister Lalu took bribe
The case relates to irregularities in granting maintenance contract of two IRCTC hotels, in Ranchi and Puri, to a private firm. As the Railway Minister, Yadav allegedly gave the contract to Sujata Hotels, owned by Vinay and Vijay Kochhar, in return of three acres of land in Patna. The premium plot, which was used as a bribe, was meant for a mall.
Grand alliance faced heat of the scam
CBI named Tejashwi as one of the conspirators of the scam but he kept reiterating he was innocent. Tejashwi, who is seen as Yadav's political heir, said the deal was struck when he was a kid and he can't be blamed. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had asked for a public explanation from Tejashwi, which he denied, leading to the grand alliance's split.
Separately, Lalu Yadav is spending time in jail in fodder-scam
The former CM was convicted in multiple corruption cases pertaining to fodder scam which took place in undivided Bihar. In August, his counsel had requested bail extension for the RJD supremo on health grounds. But the Jharkhand High Court rejected the plea saying his disease (Lalu underwent treatment for anal fistula) wasn't life-threatening, and he can apply for fresh bail plea when required.
