Lalu's quantum of punishment in fourth fodder scam to be decided today

The special CBI court in Ranchi is expected to pronounce quantum of punishment to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav today after he was convicted in the fourth fodder scam case on 19th March. Lalu along with 19 other accused were held guilty in the Dumka fodder scam case pertaining to illegal withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore funds from the treasury.

The special CBI judge Shivpal Singh had acquitted former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra and 12 other accused in this case.

It may be noted that Lalu prior to his conviction in the Dumka fodder scam case had already been convicted in three other fodder scam cases and is serving a jail sentence of 13.5 years.

The case RC38A/96 in which Lalu was held guilty and quantum of punishment will be delivered today by the special CBI judge Shivpal Singh pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from the Dumka treasury between 1990-1996 when Lalu was the chief minister of Bihar.

It may be mentioned that there are 6 FIRs against Lalu Prasad that was lodged in connection with the fodder scam. Judgment has come in four which includes withdrawal of funds from 37.7 crore from Chaibasa and Rs 89.5 lacs from Deoghar, Rs 30 crore from Chaibasa and Rs 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury.

Lalu had got 5 years jail term in the first case, 3.5 years in the second case and another 5 years in the third case and is presently lodged inside the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi.

However, due to ill health Lalu is undergoing treatment at Ranchi Institute of Medical Sciences. He is suffering from kidney stone, according to sources.