Fodder Scam: Lalu Gets 14 Yrs Jail, Tejashwi Calls it Life Threat

Former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra was pronounced not guilty in the same case.

RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav after his conviction in the Dumka treasury case. File photo.

(Photo: PTI)

Lalu Prasad’s younger son Tejashwi Yadav called his father’s sentencing by a CBI court to 14 years in jail a threat to his life.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad was on Saturday, 24 March sentenced to 14 years in jail and fined Rs 60 lakh by a special CBI court in the fourth fodder scam case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from the Dumka treasury in the early 1990s, a CBI counsel said.

According to a PTI report Tejashwi said that he “apprehends a threat to Laluji’s life” by the sentencing since his father was staunchly against the BJP’s hegemony and was working to unite parties in opposition of it.

We apprehend a threat to Laluji’s life as he has been challenging the BJP’s hegemony and trying to unite the parties opposed to it across the country. He is innocent and he will get justice in the higher courts. The people of Bihar will give a befitting reply to those behind the conspiracy against the RJD supremo.

Tejashwi Yadav

CBI judge Shiv Pal Singh awarded two sentences of seven years each to the former Bihar chief minister under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Acts, he said.

Prabhat Kumar, Lalu Prasad's counsel, told journalists that he will appeal in a higher court against the judgment.

The court had on 19 March held the 69-year-old RJD chief guilty along with 18 others in connection with the case.

Former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra, however, was acquitted in the case along with 12 other accused.

Former Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra at Ranchi court, after his acquittal.(Photo: PTI)

Ajab hai Narendra Modi aur Nitish ka mel, ajab hai khel, dubara se ho gaya Jagannath Mishra riha, aur Lalu Yadav ko jail. Ek aadmi ko jail, ek aadmi ko bail, ye hai Narendra Modi ka khel. (Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar camaraderie is unique. Jagannath Mishra has been acquitted once again, while Lalu has been convicted again. One man gets jail, while the other gets bail)!

Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, RJD leader

Prasad has been serving prison term in Birsa Munda Jail in Ranchi since 23 December 2017 last year after being convicted in the second fodder scam case pertaining to illegal withdrawal of money from the Deogarh treasury.

Lalu Makes Surprise Appearance in Court on Day of Conviction

It was initially reported that Yadav would be absent in court as he was admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi after he fell ill at the Birsa Munda Jail on Saturday, 17 March. However, the RJD chief made a surprise appearance at the court.

Yadav was admitted to RIMS and was under observation at the cardiology ward, sources told PTI. The doctors conducted an ECG and other tests, adding that his health had stabilised.

His elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, along with senior RJD leaders and hundreds of party supporters reached the hospital soon after.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)