On January 5, 2026, the Delhi High Court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to respond to a plea by RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav. He challenged a trial court order framing criminal charges against him in the alleged IRCTC scam case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma refused to stay the trial at this point, saying the court must first see the CBI's reply. The court issued notices to the CBI and set the next hearing for January 14. On October 13, 2025, the trial court had charged Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and 11 others. They face charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and corruption under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The trial court also said the land and share deals in the case showed "possibly an instance of crony capitalism fostered in the garb of eliciting private participation in the Railways' hotels at Ranchi and Puri." Besides Lalu Yadav, others charged include Pradeep Kumar Goel, Rakesh Saksena, Bhupendra Kumar Agarwal, Rakesh Kumar Gogia, and Vinod Kumar Asthana. They face charges under sections related to criminal misconduct and abuse of position by a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court charged Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family, and business associates also under Section 420 of the IPC for cheating. A common charge of criminal conspiracy under section 120B IPC was framed against all 14 accused. Punishments under the Prevention of Corruption Act can be up to 10 years imprisonment. Cheating carries a maximum of 7 years' jail. Lalu Prasad had earlier sought to discharge himself and family members from the case, but the trial court framed charges against them.