Lalu convicted in fifth fodder scam, sent to judicial custody

Ranchi, Feb 15 (IANS) A special CBI court in Ranchi on Tuesday convicted Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad in the Rs 139.35 crore Doranda treasury scam, the fifth fodder scam case, after which he has been taken into judicial custody.

The former Bihar chief minister has filed a plea in the CBI court seeking bail. He said in the plea that if not granted bail, he should be sent to judicial custody in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) as he is unwell.

The quantum of punishment will be announced on February 21.

Beside Lalu Prasad, the court has convicted 74 others including former MP Jagadish Sharma, Public Accounts Committee president Dhruv Bhagat in the case while 24 have been acquitted for want of evidence.

Thirty-six convicted persons have been sentenced up to three years in jail.

Earlier, the former Bihar chief minister was found guilty in four cases related to the Rs 950 crore fodder scam, and is serving a sentence of 27.5 years of imprisonment.

In the fifth case related to the scam, an FIR was lodged in the Doranda police station in 1996 and later the CBI took over the case for investigation.

Initially, in case number RC 47 A/96, a total of 170 were accused of corruption, of which 55 have died, seven became witnesses, two confessed to the crime while six are still absconding.

During the hearing of the case in the CBI special court, 575 people testified on behalf of prosecution, while 35 from the defendants. The probe agency produced 15 documents in the case.

Crores of rupees were illegally withdrawn in the name of transporting animals and arranging fodder for them in Bihar's animal husbandry department. The animals included bull, buffalo, cow, goat and sheep. The documents submitted by the department regarding the transportation were found to be fake. The vehicle numbers shown in the documents were of scooters, mopeds and motorcycles.

The cases occurred during the period of 1990-1996. The Bihar CAG had sent the information about the graft to the government time and again, but the government did not pay heed to it.

The CBI produced the documents in the court, which showed that then Chief Minister Lalu Prasad, despite knowing everything, did not take any action. Lalu also held the portfolio of Finance Ministry.

Earlier, the former Chief Minister has been to prison six times, but was granted bail by the High Court each time.

BJP, JD-U welcome CBI court's decision on Lalu Prasad
After the special CBI court of Ranchi held RJD chief Lalu Prasad guilty in yet another fodder scam, BJP and JD-U leaders welcomed the decision.
Patna, Feb 15 (IANS) After the special CBI court of Ranchi held RJD chief Lalu Prasad guilty in yet another fodder scam, BJP and JD-U leaders welcomed the decision.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi said that he raised this scam several times in the past. "I am highly satisfied that he (Lalu Prasad Yadav) who looted Bihar was finally punished. I appreciate the decision of the CBI court," Sushil Modi said.

"The hearing of the case was going on for the last 30 years. He (Lalu Prasad) used to do laughable things to get attention of the media. The court has given a strong message to the society. Whoever violates the law will be punished," Sushil Modi said.

Tar Kishore Prasad, the deputy chief minister of Bihar, said: "Those who ignore and cheat people would get punished by the court of law."

Samrat Chaudhary, the Panchayati Raj minister in the Nitish Kumar government said: "Justice has been done for the people of Bihar after the decision of the CBI court, Ranchi."

Neeraj Kumar, MLC and chief spokesperson of the JD-U said: "Lalu Prasad makes a record on corruption. He has cheated people in the past. Now, justice has been delivered by the court of law. He is also involved in the IRCTC scam and its amount is much bigger than the fodder scam."

Responding to the BJP and JD-U's statements, Jagadanand Singh, the RJD Bihar president, said that the RJD will challenge the decision of the CBI court in the High Court. "We will fight for our leader in the apex court till our last breath. We have huge expectations and belief in our judiciary. Lalu Prasad is a leader known for social equality and social unity in the country."

Ajit Sharma, the CLP leader of the congress in Bihar said: "Lalu Prasad is being framed by opposition leaders. If this case goes to the supreme court, the matter will be clear. RJD should challenge the decision in the upper court."

Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday was held guilty of illegal withdrawal of Rs 139.5 crore from Doranda treasury in fodder scam, Jharkhand. Besides Lalu Prasad, there were 74 more accused who have been held guilty under the same charge. The CBI court has acquitted 24 persons in this case.

The quantum of punishment will be announced on February 21