RJD chief Lalu Prasad on way to Delhi for 'specialised' treatment at AIIMS

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has left for New Delhi for a specialised treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi, a senior party leader said on Thursday.

The RJD left for New Delhi on Wednesday by train after a Special CBI court allowed him to seek treatment at Delhi AIIMS.

"He boarded the Ranchi-New Delhi Rajdhani Express yesterday evening and is scheduled to reach Delhi today," RJD leader Bhola Prasad, who is accompanying Prasad, told PTI.

Prasad, who is serving jail term in Ranchi December 23 in a fodder scam case, was admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) in the city on March 17 on complaints of uneasiness at Birsa Munda Jail.

According to senior advocate Chittaranjan Sinha, the RJD chief is suffering from diabetes, high creatinine levels and blood pressure. Sinha has been handling the fodder scam cases for Prasad from the beginning,

"His condition was not suitable for flying and the doctors at RIMS advised him to travel by train," Sinha said.

A medical board at the RIMS where Prasad was being treated decided to refer him to the AIIMS for better treatment, hospital Director R K Srivastav said.

The 69-year-old former chief minister had been convicted in four fodder scam cases since 2013 - the latest being the Dumka treasury case, in which a special CBI court sentenced him to 14 years jail term.

The Jharkhand High Court is to hear on April 6 his bail plea in the connection with his conviction in the third fodder scam - RC 68A/96 case - pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 37.62 crore from Chaibasa Treasury, advocate Sinha added.

(With inputs from agencies)