Fodder scam case: CBI Court to pronounce quantum of punishment for Lalu Yadav today

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav, convicted in a multi-lakh-rupee fodder scam, will receive his quantum of sentence on Thursday, CBI special court in Ranchi said on Wednesday.

The RJD chief was brought to the special court for sentencing in a fodder scam case to the special court from Ranchi's Birsa Munda Central Jail amid tight security.

“Quantum of punishment of RJD Chief Lalu Prasad and 15 other convicts in a fodder scam case will be announced on Thursday,” said CBI advocate.

Quantum of punishment for Yadav and 15 other convicts were postponed as no lawyer was present for arguments because of a condolence meet held by the Ranchi bar association.

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On Tuesday, Lalu Prasad's lawyer told media that they would press for minimum punishment in the case.

"Lalu is 70-years-old and suffering from many diseases. We will seek minimum punishment for him," he said.

According to lawyers, Lalu Prasad can be awarded three to seven years' punishment. If he gets three years' punishment, he would get bail soon after sentencing.

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The RJD chief and 15 others were convicted by the CBI special court on December 23. Special judge Shivpal Singh pronounced the verdict in a packed courtroom in the case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar Treasury between 1991 and 1994.

In 1996, the Patna High Court ordered an inquiry into the fodder scam cases and a charge sheet in the Deogarh treasury case was filed against 38 people on October 27, 1997. Eleven of them died and three turned approvers while two other accused confessed and were convicted in 2006-07, a CBI official said.

The accused faced charges under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.