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Lalu Yadav, Tejashwi, Rabri Devi chargesheeted in IRCTC corruption case ahead of Bihar polls

Delhi court frames corruption and conspiracy charges against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in the IRCTC hotels case — a major setback for RJD before the Bihar polls.

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Lalu Tejashwi

In a significant setback for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, a Delhi court on Monday framed charges in a corruption case linked to the allotment of IRCTC hotel maintenance contracts during his tenure as Railway Minister. His wife, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and son Tejashwi Yadav — the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate — were also charged.

The Rouse Avenue court invoked sections related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. All three pleaded not guilty. Rabri Devi called the case “wrong”, while Lalu Yadav’s counsel maintained that there was no material evidence to justify the charges.

The ‘IRCTC hotels’ corruption case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that contracts for maintaining two IRCTC hotels — BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri — were irregularly awarded to Sujata Hotel during Lalu Yadav’s ministerial term (2004–2009). In return, it is claimed that three acres of prime land were transferred to a benami company linked to Lalu Yadav’s family.

The CBI registered the case in 2017 and informed the court that sufficient material existed to frame charges against all accused. Lalu Yadav’s defence argued that the tenders were issued through a fair process.

Court observes “probable fraud must be tried as cheating”

In its observations, the court said, “The conspiracy is sublime, but not hidden from the court’s view,” adding that the alleged actions resulted in monetary loss to the exchequer. It ruled that the case merits a full trial to determine the extent of wrongdoing.

Political impact ahead of Bihar elections

The court’s decision is seen as a political setback for the RJD ahead of the Bihar assembly elections. The ruling is likely to give the ruling NDA an opportunity to sharpen its attacks over corruption allegations, a recurring theme in Bihar’s politics.

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PM Modi to visit Varanasi, Kedarnath on October 24-25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Varanasi and Kedarnath on October 24 and 25. His proposed itinerary includes a factory inauguration in Varanasi, an Indian Air Force air show and a review of the Kedarnath Corridor project.

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PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand on October 24 and 25. His proposed two-day itinerary includes development-related engagements in Varanasi and a review of infrastructure work at the Kedarnath Corridor.

In Varanasi, the Prime Minister is likely to inaugurate a factory in the Sevapuri area and attend programmes related to the city’s development. The visit will also coincide with an Indian Air Force aerial display at Namo Ghat, where he is expected to attend the event on October 25.

PM Modi likely to attend Varanasi air show

The Indian Air Force’s aerial display, titled Wings Over Ganges, is scheduled over the Ganga at Namo Ghat on October 22, 24 and 25.

The event is expected to feature Rafale, Sukhoi and Tejas fighter aircraft, along with performances by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team and the Sarang helicopter display team.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also expected to attend the air show. Officials have been preparing for the event, with security and crowd management among the key considerations because of the anticipated gathering.

Kedarnath Corridor project review on October 25

Modi is also expected to travel to Kedarnath on October 25 to assess progress on the Kedarnath Corridor development project.

The review is expected to cover ongoing infrastructure projects and efforts to improve facilities in and around the Himalayan pilgrimage centre.

The proposed visit brings together public and development-related engagements in Varanasi with an assessment of infrastructure work at Kedarnath.

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CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka to be released after 7 days in jail

CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are set to be released after seven days in judicial custody following an order by a Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi.

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Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are set to be released after spending seven days in judicial custody, following an order by a Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi on Wednesday.

The two leaders had been in judicial custody since October 14 in connection with an incident at Jantar Mantar, which is no longer a designated site for protests. They were accused of entering the restricted protest area and violating conditions linked to maintaining public peace.

The magistrate’s order brings their period of judicial custody to an end after their detention and subsequent remand. Their custody had initially been ordered for five days before being extended by another two days on October 19.

Delhi High Court declines to intervene

Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court declined to interfere with the judicial custody of Das and Ranka. The court asked them to await the outcome of the proceedings before the Special Executive Magistrate and indicated that they could approach the appellate court if their grievances remained unresolved.

The leaders had challenged the decision to place them in judicial custody. The proceedings came amid continuing legal disputes over police action against protesters at Jantar Mantar.

Why the CJP leaders were detained

Das and Ranka were detained in connection with a protest at Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protest also involved demands directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Jantar Mantar had recently been removed from the list of designated protest venues under a Delhi Police order. The police alleged that the CJP members entered the site despite the restrictions and obstructed officials carrying out their duties.

The police also cited alleged violations of previously executed peace bonds. Das and Ranka had earlier been released after furnishing bonds and undertaking to maintain peace.

The authorities initiated proceedings under preventive provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). While the two leaders were sent to judicial custody, another CJP member, Ajinkya Shinde, was released on a personal bond during the earlier proceedings.

The latest order directs the release of Das and Ranka after seven days in custody. The case has drawn attention to the restrictions on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and the legal proceedings arising from the CJP’s protests.

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Tiger Shroff firing case: 3 accused sent to police custody till October 31

Three accused in the firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai have been remanded to police custody until October 31. Investigators sought their custody for further questioning and weapon recovery.

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Three men accused in the firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai have been remanded to police custody until October 31. A magistrate court passed the order on Wednesday after hearing the police and defence arguments.

The accused were brought to Mumbai from Kota in Rajasthan earlier in the day. The Mumbai Crime Branch, which is investigating the case, had sought 14 days of custody for further questioning and a detailed probe.

The three accused have been identified as Rehan, alias Sukka, from Sonipat in Haryana; Ritik Kurmi, alias Roshan, originally from Begusarai in Bihar and currently residing in Mumbai; and Phool Singh from Haryana.

Why police sought custody

The investigating team told the court that custodial interrogation was required to recover the weapons used in the firing and investigate the suspected conspiracy behind the incident.

Police also informed the court that the accused had destroyed two mobile phones. Investigators said further questioning was necessary to establish the motive behind the shooting and examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The defence opposed the request for extended police custody. Lawyers Ajinkya Mirgal and Satyabrat Joshi argued that the accused had already been questioned during transit remand and disputed the need for further custody to recover the weapons.

After hearing both sides, the court remanded all three men to police custody until October 31.

Three accused brought to Mumbai from Kota

According to the report, Kota city police apprehended the trio from a train on Monday after receiving specific information. They were subsequently handed over to Mumbai Police, which formally arrested them and produced them before a magistrate.

A court in Kota had granted transit remand to facilitate their transfer to Mumbai.

What happened in the firing incident

The firing took place in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening, when at least two men fired shots at Tiger Shroff’s car before fleeing on a motorcycle.

The actor escaped relatively unhurt, while his driver and a bystander sustained injuries. Mumbai Police said five to six rounds were fired at the vehicle.

A motorcycle allegedly used by the assailants was later found abandoned in Andheri.

Mumbai Police have registered a case under provisions relating to attempted murder and the Arms Act. The investigation is continuing to establish the motive and recover evidence connected with the incident.

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