Hearing begins in Lalu's discharge petition

Patna, Mar 27 (UNI) Hearing on a discharge petition filed by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad began today before a special CBI court in a case related to multi-crore rupee fodder scam in Bihar.

Arguing for Mr Prasad, his counsel Chitranjan Prasad Sinha said the chargesheet was filed against his client on the basis of distorted facts. Documents relied upon by the CBI's chargesheet were itself enough to prove the innocence of his client, he added.

The case was related to fraudulent withdrawal of more than Rs 46 lakh from Bhagalpur and Banka treasuries under the Animal Husbandary Department (AHD) of Bihar.

The FIR of the case was registered in 1996.

Altogether 40 accused were chargesheeted, including Railway Minister Mr Prasad, former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, several former ministers and senior IAS officers of Bihar.

UNI XC/DH SJC PG GC2115