Fodder Scam: “I’m Not Like BJP,” Tweets Lalu Enroute to Jail
The special CBI court had on 23 December pronounced RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav guilty.
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A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court in Ranchi has sentenced former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and others to three-and-a-half years of jail and been fined Rs. 5 lakh relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar Treasury 21 years ago.
The sentence was supposed to be pronounced on 3 January but has repeatedly been getting rescheduled. The Special CBI Court Judge Shivpal Singh had told PTI on 4 January that he was getting phone calls from Lalu’s men.
The special CBI court had on 23 December pronounced the RJD chief guilty in the Rs 900 crore fodder scam case. A total of 15 people, including Lalu, were convicted in the 20-year-old case. Seven people, including former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, were declared innocent.
Lalu Prasad is at present lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi.
- A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court in Ranchi has sentenced former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and others to 3.5 years of jail and been fined Rs. 5 lakh.
- The sentencing has repeatedly been getting postponed. “Got phone calls from Lalu’s men,” said the judge on 4 January
- The judge had also told Lalu Yadav, “I got many references for you, but don’t worry. I will only follow the law”
- The trial was completed on 13 December in the special CBI court and Lalu was convicted on 23 December
- “I have no role in this scam directly; consider minimum punishment keeping in view my age and health grounds,” Lalu said in his plea before the Ranchi court
Lalu Prasad Yadav Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Jail, Fined 5 Lakh
RJD chief Lalu Prasad was today sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail by a CBI special court in a fodder scam case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar Treasury 21 years ago. Prasad was the chief minister of Bihar at the time.
CBI court judge Shiv Pal Singh, who had convicted Prasad, along with 10 others on December 23, also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on him for two cases in the scam.
He was fined Rs 5 lakh for each case, failing which he would serve another six months in jail, a CBI counsel said.
The court had convicted Prasad for offences of cheating, along with criminal conspiracy, under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Enroute to Jail, Lalu Slams BJP and Says "Will Die" for "Social Justice"
Will go to the High Court: Tejashwi Yadav
In the aftermath of the Ranchi court sentencing Lalu Prasad Yadav to 3.5 years in jail, his son Tejashwi Yadav said “the judiciary performed its duty. We will go to the High Court after studying the sentence and apply for a bail.” He also said,
Judge Says 'Open Jail is Best for Convicts'; Sentence Expected at 4 PM
Speaking at the court proceedings, the judge said “an open jail is best for the convicts, as they also have experience of cow farming.”
Hearing Begins Via Video
The court proceedings in the fodder scam hearing began around 2 pm via video conferencing. The sentence is expected to be announced at 4 pm.
Sentence for Lalu Yadav to be Announced at 2 pm on Saturday
The sentence for Lalu Yadav and the 10 others in the fodder scam case will be announced at 2 pm on Saturday, 6 January, via video conferencing, the RJD chief's lawyer Chittaranjan Sinha has said.
Sentence for Lalu Yadav to be Announced Shortly
The hearing over the quantum of sentence for the five accused, including Lalu Yadav, has been completed at the Ranchi court. The sentence is expected to be announced shortly.
Judge Shivpal Singh will be pronouncing the quantum of sentence via video conferencing.
Have no Role in This Scam Directly, Consider Minimum Punishment: Lalu Yadav
Earlier on Friday, Lalu Yadav's advocate filed a plea before the Ranchi Special CBI Court demanding minimum punishment to the RJD chief on health grounds.
In his plea, Lalu mentioned, "I have no role in this scam directly; consider minimum punishment keeping in view my age and health grounds."
Bihar RJD chief Ramchandra Purve said the party has faith that Lalu will get justice.
Amidst Proceedings, Lalu Cracks A Joke
Even in the midst of proceedings to decide the quantum of sentence in a fodder scam involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad, the leader did not miss an opportunity to crack a funny when he told the judge that "it was very cold in jail" to which the judge replied play 'tabla'.
Prasad, known for his funny liners, said in the court, "It is very cold here (in jail)".
CBI Special Court Judge Shiv Pal Singh, hearing the csae, was quick to reply, "Then, play tabla (musical instrument)".
Got Phone Calls From Lalu's Men: Judge
After the sentencing of Lalu Prasad Yadav and other got postponed for the second day in a row, Special CBI Court judge Shivpal Singh said: “Got phone calls from Lalu's men.”
Moreover, according to ANI, the judge told Lalu Yadav, "I got many references for you, but don't worry. I will only follow the law."
CBI Lawyer Requests Judge to Give Maximum Sentence to the Accused
The CBI lawyer has requested the Ranchi Special CBI Court judge to give maximum sentence to the accused in the fodder scam case so that no one tries to commit such a heinous crime.
Sentencing Postponed Again
The Ranchi Special CBI Court will pronounce the quantum of punishment for Lalu Prasad Yadav and 14 other accused in the fodder scam case on 5 January, Friday, news agency ANI reported.
The announcement has been postponed for the second day a in a row.
Lalu Yadav Reaches Court
Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav arrives at Ranchi Special CBI Court for quantum of sentence in fodder scam case.
Sentencing Postponed
The quantum of sentence for Lalu Prasad Yadav and others in the fodder scam case to be pronounced on Thursday, 4 january, news agency ANI reported.
The announcement of the sentence was rescheduled due to the death of advocate Vindeshwari Prasad.
RJD Leaders Summoned for Contempt of Court
Special Court Judge summons RJD leaders Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha on 23 January for speaking against the court, news agnecy ANI reported.
Lalu Reaches Court
Lalu Prasad Yadav and others have reached the Special CBI court in Ranchi for quantum of sentence in a fodder scam case.
RJD Leaders Alleged Botched Probe by CBI
After his conviction on 23 December, several RJD members including his son Tejaswi Yadav had alleged a botched CBI investigation.
Tejashwi Yadav said, “We will challenge judgment in High Court. We have already appealed against conviction in Chaibasa treasury case in HC. Bail procedure would take place only after HC's opening. Nitish Kumar, BJP kept trying to malign Lalu Ji.”
The CBI court had acquitted another former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra and five others in the case, relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 84.5 lakh from the Deoghar district treasury between 1990 and 1994. Lalu Prasad was the Chief Minister of then undivided Bihar from 1990 to 1997.
There were 34 accused in the case, out of which 11 died during the trial, while one turned CBI approver and admitted to the crime. The 16 convicted people include three former IAS officials Phoolchand Mandal, Beck Julius and Mahesh Prasad.
Lalu Prasad is also facing trial in three more cases relating to the fodder scam.
(WIth inputs from IANS)
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