Ranchi: The special CBI court on Saturday held Lalu Prasad Yadav guilty in one of the fodder scam cases. Quantum of punishment will be pronounced on January 3. Soon after pronouncement of judgment, Lalu Prasad was taken into custody and taken to jail in Ranchi, said media reports. Former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra has been acquitted. Five other accused were also acquitted by the CBI court.
Mishra and Lalu Prasad were among the 22 persons, who were named as accused by the CBI in over two-decade-old corruption case. It is a case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of more than 89 lakh from Deoghar treasury between 1991 and 1994. A total 15 accused were held guilty by the CBI court.
Reacting to the judgment, RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha alleged that the BJP was responsible for conviction of Lalu Prasad. He said that the CBI acted in partisan manner under pressure from the BJP. He added that the RJD will fight the conviction of Lalu Prasad legally. The RJD spokesperson alleged that the legally admissible evidence provided by them was set aside.
Earlier, Lalu Prasad expressed confidence that he would be acquitted in the Deoghar fodder scam case.
In all, there were 34 accused in the Deoghar fodder scam case. Eleven accused died during the course of trial while one turned CBI approver and admitted to the crime.
Before the pronouncement of verdict, Lalu Prasad’s son and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence that the verdict will be in their favour. Lalu Prasad Yadav has previously accused the BJP of using government agencies for political purposes. Lalu Prasad and ex -Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra have already been convicted in another fodder scam case. They are out on bail.
