Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has given its decision to frame charges against Lalu Yadav and his family in the IRCTC scam. Lalu is accused of benefiting his own people during his tenure as Railway Minister. If Lalu Yadav is found guilty, what will be the punishment?
IRCTC Scam Lalu Yadav: The troubles of former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav have increased. Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has ordered framing of charges against all three in the IRCTC scam. Now if Lalu Yadav is found guilty in this case, then let us know how much punishment he can face under which sections.
Under which sections was the case registered?
The court has ordered framing of charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav under sections 120B, 420 of the IPC and section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Let us tell you that this case is from 2004-2009, when Lalu Yadav was the Railway Minister. Lalu and his family are accused of committing fraud in the allotment of contracts for maintenance and improvement of IRCTC’s Hotel BNR located in Ranchi and Puri.
Also read: IRCTC Scam: When and how did the IRCTC scam related to Lalu Yadav happen?
Will Lalu Yadav go to jail or get bail?
Rouse Avenue Court has currently ordered framing of charges for the trial against Lalu Yadav, wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi and others. Now Lalu family can apply for bail in the court. If bail is granted, there will be no arrest, but the case will continue. But if the bail is rejected then Lalu family members may have to go to jail?
How much punishment can Lalu Yadav face?
1- Under Section 420 of the IPC, fraud can be punished with both imprisonment for a maximum of 7 years and fine. Let us tell you that after the implementation of the Indian Justice Code (BNS), this section has now become Section 318 of the Indian Justice Code, but the provision of punishment remains the same as before.
2- Punishment under Section 120B of IPC depends on the original crime committed under conspiracy. If the conspiracy involves an offense punishable with imprisonment for life, the conspirator shall also receive the same punishment as the original offence. However, if the conspiracy is punishable with imprisonment for six months or more, the punishment may be imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.
3- According to Section 13(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act, if found guilty, the punishment can be a minimum of one year to 7 years in jail. Also, fine can also be imposed.
What is IRCTC scam?
Lalu Prasad Yadav is accused of committing a scam in the allotment of maintenance contracts of two IRCTC hotels (BNR Ranchi and Puri) while he was the Railway Minister between 2004-09. Lalu misused his position and wrongly got these contracts awarded to his wife Rabri Devi’s company Sujata Hotels. In return, the company transferred very valuable land to Lalu Yadav’s family at throwaway prices. Apart from Lalu and his family, there are a total of 14 accused in this case, including former Group General Manager of IRCTC VK Asthana, RK Goyal and former directors of Sujata Hotels Vijay Kochhar and Vinay Kochhar.
See also: What is IRCTC Scam? Apart from Lalu-Rabri and Tejashwi, who are those 14 people who were made accused?