A Delhi court on Friday granted exemption from personal appearance to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav in the alleged money-laundering case linked to the IRCTC hotel scam being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and directed them to appear in person on November 19 for the formal framing of charges, IANS reported. Daily Kiran also reported the Rouse Avenue Court's direction.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

Counsel for Rabri Devi told the court she was unable to appear for medical reasons. Tejashwi Yadav's counsel said his flight was delayed and that he could appear by 2 pm to complete the formalities; the court nevertheless granted both an exemption for the day and listed the matter for November 19.

During the hearing, Lalu Prasad Yadav's counsel informed the court that the Delhi High Court had on Thursday issued notice to the ED on his plea challenging the trial court's order framing charges against him — the earlier development reported on Awaaz Punjab — and that the High Court had granted him liberty to seek an adjournment before the trial court until its next hearing on December 3. The trial court clarified that accused persons who have not obtained any stay from the High Court will be required to appear on the next date.

In September this year, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and other accused, holding that a prima facie case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was made out against them, and discharged seven accused in the case.

According to the ED's allegations — which remain unproven and are contested by the accused — the accused were involved in laundering proceeds of crime generated through alleged irregularities in the award of contracts for the operation of IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Union Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. The money-laundering case stems from a predicate offence registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged IRCTC hotel scam.

Source: Daily Kiran