A special CBI court is likely to announce the quantum of punishment for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav in decade-old fodder scam at 2 pm on Saturday, reports said. The special court had on Friday deferred the sentencing of Lalu Prasad Yadav till Saturday in a decades' old case relating to the notorious multi-million-rupees fodder scam, for the third day in a row.
File image of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. PTI
The case relates to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from Deoghar treasury 21 years ago. The sentence will be pronounced via video conferencing even as Lalu had assured the court on Thursday that he was ready to appear in person. He had also assured the special CBI court judge Shiv Pal Singh that there would be no slogans raised in the courtroom by his supporters.
According to lawyers, Lalu can be awarded three to seven years' punishment. If he gets three years' term, he would get bail soon after sentencing. However, the RJD chief on Friday moved an application before the court seeking minimum sentencing citing his poor health condition. In his application, Lalu reportedly said that "the Birsa Munda jail (where he is currently lodged) did not have clean drinking water and this may affect his kidneys. He also added that the jail did not have any super medical facilities".
Earlier, on Thursday's proceedings, Lalu had told the judge that he found it "very cold" in prison. Judge Singh, hearing the case, was quick to reply, "Then, play tabla (musical instrument)".
The special CBI court had on 23 December pronounced Lalu and 15 others guilty of fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar treasury 21 years ago when he was the chief minister of the Bihar. Six others, including Congress leader Jagannath Mishra, were acquitted in the case.
The quantum of punishment was to be announced on 3 January, but it was postponed due to a condolence meeting held that day to mourn the death of two lawyers, a CBI advocate had told The Times of India.
The death of advocate Vindheshwari Prasad, also led to changes in the schedule of the court's proceedings, as an association of advocates abstained from work as a mark of respect.
The quantum of punishment for Lalu deferred again on Thursday, though the judge had heard arguments to decide the quantum of punishment. On Friday, judge Singh reserved the sentencing for Lalu for the third consecutive day.
On 30 September, 2013, Lalu, Jagannath Mishra and several others had been convicted in another case pertaining to illegal withdrawal of Rs 37.7 crore from Chaibasa Treasury in the early 1990s. The latest conviction is the second in the scam.
Lalu faces three additional fodder scam cases for illegal withdrawal of Rs 3.97 crore from the Dumka treasury, Rs 36 crore from the Chaibasa treasury and Rs 184 crore from the Doranda treasury.
Published Date: Jan 06, 2018 16:26 PM | Updated Date: Jan 06, 2018 16:58 PM
Highlights
Lalu to serve six more months in case of non-payment of fine
The court has slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh on Lalu Prasad Yadav along with 3.5 years in jail. According to News18, the RJD chief would have to serve six more months if the fine is not paid.
Confident that Lalu Prasad Yadav will get bail: Tej Pratap
After the sentence was pronounced, Lalu Prasad Yadav's son Tej Pratap said that they have full faith in judiciary and are confident that the RJD chief will get bail, reported ANI.
This is negative politics by BJP, Nitish Kumar: Tejashwi Yadav
Ahead of sentencing, RJD held a press conference. Party leader Tejashwi Yadav said that BJP and Nitish Kumar are playing negative politics. He also said that people who were creating an atmosphere to scare him can see now that he will neither be scared nor turn away from him ideology.
'Lalu can be awarded three to seven years punishment'
According to lawyers, Lalu Prasad Yadav can be awarded three to seven years of punishment. If he gets three years' term, he would get bail soon after sentencing.
Lalu Prasad Yadav seeks minimum sentence, citing poor health
Ahead of the sentencing, Lalu Prasad Yadav moved an application before the court seeking minimum sentencing citing his poor health condition.
He requested that he be awarded a minimum sentence on health grounds over his diabetes and heart surgery. The RJD leader also said that he was suffering from a bladder infection.
Quantum of sentence to be announced via video-conferencing
Quantum of punishment for Lalu Prasad Yadav is expected shortly
16:58 (IST)
Lalu to serve six more months in case of non-payment of fine
The court has slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh on Lalu Prasad Yadav along with 3.5 years in jail. According to News18, the RJD chief would have to serve six more months if the fine is not paid.
16:45 (IST)
None of the convicts can take bail from Ranchi court
Lalu would have been entitled to bail if the jail term had been up to three years. He will now have to move high court for bail.
16:39 (IST)
Confident that Lalu Prasad Yadav will get bail: Tej Pratap
After the sentence was pronounced, Lalu Prasad Yadav's son Tej Pratap said that they have full faith in judiciary and are confident that the RJD chief will get bail, reported ANI.
16:35 (IST)
JD(U) welcomes Ranchi court's decision, says it is the end of a chapter
16:33 (IST)
RJD supporters throng Ranchi court as sentence was delivered: News18
16:31 (IST)
Will go to high court after studying the verdict: Tejashwi Yadav
16:30 (IST)
Jagdish Sharma gets seven years in jail
16:23 (IST)
Lalu Prasad Yadav sentenced to 3.5 years in jail and a fine of Rs 5 lakh
16:22 (IST)
Judge reads out the quantum of punishment
16:20 (IST)
This is negative politics by BJP, Nitish Kumar: Tejashwi Yadav
Ahead of sentencing, RJD held a press conference. Party leader Tejashwi Yadav said that BJP and Nitish Kumar are playing negative politics. He also said that people who were creating an atmosphere to scare him can see now that he will neither be scared nor turn away from him ideology.
16:14 (IST)
Judge reaches courtroom
The Indian Express reported that the judge has now reached the courtroom and is likely to pronounce the sentence shortly.
16:05 (IST)
In Photos: Accused present in video-conferencing room
15:59 (IST)
Verdict to be pronounced shortly
15:30 (IST)
'Lalu can be awarded three to seven years punishment'
According to lawyers, Lalu Prasad Yadav can be awarded three to seven years of punishment. If he gets three years' term, he would get bail soon after sentencing.
15:25 (IST)
Lalu Prasad is lodged at the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi at present
14:57 (IST)
What is the fodder scam case all about?
The case is regarding large-scale embezzlement of government funds, made by producing fake bills to substantiate payments that were never made. The scam took its name from the fact that it was rooted in the Animal and Husbandry department of Bihar government and the fraudulent transactions were made in the name of procuring cattle feed over a period of 20 years, under successive regimes.
It was first sniffed out in 1985 by the then CAG TN Chaturvedi, who noticed that monthly accounts submission from Bihar treasury were always delayed.
14:40 (IST)
RJD to discuss party strategy in the wake of sentencing
Top RJD leaders are likely to attend the emergency meet called by Rabri Devi to discuss individual roles of leaders in the likely absence of Lalu Prasad, The Indian Express reported. Sources cited in the report said Tejashwi Yadav would also read out a letter from the RJD chief, asking the party leaders to stay calm and united.
14:34 (IST)
Sentence likely to be announced at 4 pm today
14:31 (IST)
Lalu Prasad Yadav seeks minimum sentence, citing poor health
Ahead of the sentencing, Lalu Prasad Yadav moved an application before the court seeking minimum sentencing citing his poor health condition.
He requested that he be awarded a minimum sentence on health grounds over his diabetes and heart surgery. The RJD leader also said that he was suffering from a bladder infection.
14:26 (IST)
Quantum of sentence to be announced via video-conferencing
14:21 (IST)
Rabri Devi calls for emergency meet before sentencing
14:17 (IST)
Court proceedings start after judge reaches video conferencing room
14:16 (IST)
Quantum of punishment for Lalu Prasad Yadav is expected shortly