Townhall Times | New Delhi — The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Monday framed charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and son Tejashwi Yadav in the IRCTC hotel scam case. Yet, Lalu’s calm and composed response inside the courtroom — calling the charges a “political conspiracy” — has reignited questions about whether India’s judicial process truly functions independently of political power.
Lalu told the court, “I am innocent. All of this is part of a political conspiracy against me. But I respect the process of law and the Constitution.”
This statement comes from a man who has always centered social justice and the voice of the marginalized in his politics — and who has faced the harshest legal action precisely when he challenged the ruling establishment.
Political observers believe that the sudden acceleration of this long-pending case, just months before the Bihar elections, appears politically motivated. Many analysts see it as “an attempt to weaken the opposition under the guise of justice.”
Senior constitutional experts argue that reopening cases from 2004–2009 only against one political family while the investigating agencies remain silent on allies of the ruling party raises serious doubts about the impartiality of the process.
According to the CBI, Lalu Yadav, as Railway Minister, allegedly granted contracts for hotels in Ranchi and Puri in exchange for land for his family. The RJD counters that no monetary exchange occurred and no government loss was proven.
Both Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav reiterated in court that the case is “a tool to crush opposition politics.” Tejashwi said, “Our only crime is that we ask questions of those in power and speak for the poor.”
The case has now entered the trial stage, with the next hearing scheduled for October 30.
In political circles, the trial is being seen not merely as a legal battle but as a test of India’s democratic institutions and their neutrality.
Several commentators remarked, “If a mass leader like Lalu Prasad Yadav must repeatedly fight to prove his innocence, it shows how deeply political vendetta has been wrapped in the robe of justice.”
As Lalu exited the courtroom, he said only one thing:
“Truth may be troubled, but it can never be defeated.”
That one line perhaps captures the spirit of the entire case.
Later, several political analysts added:
“Lalu may have amassed wealth through alleged corruption, but leaders like Jai Shah, Rajeev Shukla, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Nityanand Rai have done the same by ringing temple bells. Why are no cases filed against BJP’s own tainted figures?”
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