50 convicted in fodder scam case

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) In a bombshell of sorts the CBI Special Judge in Ranchi today convicted 50 persons involved in the sensational fodder scam in which more than Rs 16 crore were withdrawn from the nstate treasury through fake bills on the pretext of supplying various items to the Animal Husbandary department in Bihar.

The judge sentenced 49 of the 50 accused as one of them was not present during the judgement announcement, according to the CBI.

While seven of the accused were given seven years jail term along with fine, others which included 39 suppliers were given jail terms ranging from one to six years.

The case was registered by CBI Patna in March 1996 on a complaint of Dy Commissioner (West Singhbhum) Chaibasa and a chargesheet filed in June 1998 against 22 persons for fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 15.13 crore from Chaibasa treasury through fake bills.

A supplementary chargesheet was filed in January 1999 against 33 others for total withdrawal of Rs16.33 crore.

Of the 55 accused, while three died during trial, two others turned approvers. Another accused was absconding and his case has been split during trial.

This is the 10th case out of a total of 55 cases in the fodder scam in which trial has been completed and convictions made.

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