Verdict in major fodder scam case expected today; Lalu’s fate hangs in balance

The fodder scam case pertains to illegal withdrawals worth ₹950 crore from various govt treasuries for fictitious expenditure on fodder and other requirements for cattle during Lalu Prasad’s tenure as Bihar CM

Updated on: Feb 21, 2022, 13:52:29 IST

By Vishal Kant

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RANCHI: The special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court of SK Shashi in Ranchi is expected to decide on the quantum of punishment to 38 convicts, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, on Monday in connection with the Deoghar treasury case related to the fodder scam.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was shifted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, from Hotwar jail on Tuesday. (PTI)

Last Tuesday, the court held the former Bihar chief minister and others guilty in the fifth fodder scam case, pertaining to illegal withdrawal of ₹139.35 crore from the Doranda treasury in Jharkhand.

The ailing 73-year-old politician, who was shifted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, from Hotwar jail following the conviction on Tuesday, was earlier sentenced to 14 years in jail in four other cases related to Dumka, Deoghar and Chaibasa treasuries in Jharkhand.

He was out on bail in those cases till Tuesday when he was again sent to jail after being convicted in Doranda treasury case. The sixth case in which Lalu Prasad is an accused relates to withdrawals from Banka treasury in Bihar and it is still under trial.

Prabhat Kumar, counsel of Lalu Prasad said his client would attend the hearing on Monday through video conferencing from his RIMS ward.

“Owing to his health, he has been allowed to join the hearing online. We will plead before the court for minimum punishment,” added Kumar.

The fodder scam case pertains to illegal withdrawals worth ₹950 crore from various government treasuries for fictitious expenditure on fodder and other requirements for cattle during Lalu Prasad’s term as Bihar chief minister.

The CBI registered 53 separate cases in 1996 after the matter was first unearthed by then Chaibasa deputy commissioner Amit Khare.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vishal Kant
Stationed in Ranchi, Vishal is heading the Jharkhand Bureau of Hindustan Times since November 2017. Besides leading the reporting team, Vishal tracks and writes on developments related to the state politics, economy and policy matters in Jharkhand. Prior to his current assignment, Vishal used to work in New Delhi after graduating from the University of Delhi. Vishal joined HT in the rank of Assistant Editor in August 2015 and was part of the Delhi Metro Bureau, covering a host of issues in the City-state including politics, policy---especially those related to urban traffic & transport infrastructure and railways. A native of Palamu district in Jharkhand, Vishal started his two-decade long career in the mainstream media in 2006. During this period, he has has worked in different capacity with a number of national media houses including the Financial Chronicle, India Today, Deccan Herald and The Hindu, before moving to the Hindustan Times. He holds the experience of having worked in three major mediums of mass communication--Print, Electronic and Digital. He is a proud father of two daughters.Read More

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