Fodder scam: Lalu Prasad to be sentenced today by CBI court in Ranchi

A special CBI court will today pronounce the quantum of sentence to Lalu Prasad, who was convicted in a fodder case in December.

IndiaToday.in  | Edited by Prabhash K Dutta
Ranchi, January 5, 2018 | UPDATED 11:00 IST

Highlights

  • 1
    Lalu Prasad to be sentenced today.
  • 2
    A CBI court held him guilty in a fodder scam case.
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    Case pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of over Rs 89 lakh.

The special CBI court, which held former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad guilty in a fodder scam case last year, will pronounce quantum of sentence today in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The case pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of the money from the Deoghar treasury between 1991 and 1994.

The court had convicted Prasad for offences of cheating with criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Under the sections, Prasad can be sentenced a minimum jail term of one year and maximum of seven years.

The special court yesterday deferred the sentencing of Lalu Prasad till today. The sentencing is likely to be pronounced over video conference. Earlier, the judge said that he received phone calls from the RJD chief's well-wishers enquiring about the quantum of sentence for Lalu Prasad.

The case relates to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from Deoghar treasury 21 years ago. Deferring the sentencing for the second day in a row, CBI judge Shiv Pal Singh said that he would decide today whether the sentence would be given over video conference or in the court.

With the judge expressing concerns, Lalu Prasad said that he would prefer personal appearance in the court. Lalu Prasad also assured the judge that there would be no slogans raised in the courtroom by his supporters. With the court room packed, the judge asked the advocates not connected with the fodder scam case to leave.

Fifteen others, who were convicted in the scam, will also be sentenced today along with Lalu Prasad waited in the court. The court had on Wednesday served contempt notices to senior leaders of the RJD and the Congress for criticising in TV channels the December 23 conviction of Prasad in the fodder scam case.

The CBI court had convicted Lalu Prasad and 15 others in the fodder scam case on December 23. The court had acquitted six accused including former Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U leader Jagannath Mishra (former Congress leader).

(With PTI inputs)