Fodder scam: Quantum of sentence for Lalu to be pronounced at 2 pm today

After a two-day delay, the Ranchi Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court will pronounce the quantum of sentence for Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam today.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief's lawyer confirmed that the quantum of sentence will be announced on Saturday at 2 pm via video conferencing.

On Friday, Lalu Prasad sought a minimum punishment citing health issues. His lawyer, Chitaranjan Sinha, also confirmed that the RJD leader was dealing with a lot of health issues.

Prasad, in his plea, had mentioned, "I have no role in this scam directly; consider minimum punishment keeping in view my age and health grounds."

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.

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 to a minimum jail term of one year and maximum of seven years.

Lalu has been convicted in one of the cases of the fodder scam, wherein Rs. 900 crore from the Bihar exchequer was siphoned off under the pretext of purchasing fodder for livestock, during the '80s and '90s.

With inputs from ANI